BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEQUENCES

[0057] SEQ ID NO:1 is the N-terminus of Toxin_XwiA 220 kDa protein (XptA2_Wi).

[0058] SEQ ID NO:2 is an internal peptide of Toxin_XwiA purified toxin (XptA2_Wi).

[0059] SEQ ID NO:3 is an internal peptide of Toxin_XwiA purified toxin (XptA2_Wi).

[0060] SEQ ID NO:4 is an internal peptide of Toxin_XwiA purified toxin (XptA2_Wi).

[0061] SEQ ID NO:5 is an internal peptide of Toxin_XwiA purified toxin (XptA2_Wi).

[0062] SEQ ID NO:6 is the pDAB2097 cosmid insert: 39,005 bp.

[0063] SEQ ID NO:7 is the pDAB2097 cosmid ORF1: nucleotides 1-1,533 of SEQ ID NO:6.

[0064] SEQ ID NO:8 is the pDAB2097 cosmid ORF1 deduced protein: 511 aa.

[0065] SEQ ID NO:9 is the pDAB2097 cosmid ORF2 (xptD1_Wi): nucleotides 1,543-5,715 of SEQ ID NO:6.

[0066] SEQ ID NO:10 is the pDAB2097 cosmid ORF2 deduced protein: 1,391 aa.

[0067] SEQ ID NO:11 is the pDAB2097 cosmid ORF3: nucleotides 5,764-7,707 of SEQ ID NO:6.

[0068] SEQ ID NO:12 is the pDAB2097 cosmid ORF3 deduced protein: 648 aa.

[0069] SEQ ID NO:13 is the pDAB2097 cosmid ORF4 (xptA1_Wi): nucleotides 10,709-18,277 of SEQ ID NO:6.

[0070] SEQ ID NO:14 is the pDAB2097 cosmid ORF4 deduced protein: 2,523 aa.

[0071] SEQ ID NO:15 is the pDAB2097 cosmid ORF5 (xptB1_Wi): nucleotides 18,383-21,430 (C) of SEQ ID NO:6.

[0072] SEQ ID NO:16 is the pDAB2097 cosmid ORF5 deduced protein: 1,016 aa.

[0073] SEQ ID NO:17 is the pDAB2097 cosmid ORF6 (xptC1_Wi): nucleotides 21,487-25,965 (C) of SEQ ID NO:6.

[0074] SEQ ID NO:18 is the pDAB2097 cosmid ORF6 deduced protein: 1,493 aa.

[0075] SEQ ID NO:19 is the pDAB2097 cosmid ORF7 (xptA2_Wi): nucleotides 26,021-33,634 (C) of SEQ ID NO:6.

[0076] SEQ ID NO:20 is the pDAB2097 cosmid ORF7 deduced protein: 2,538 aa.

[0077] SEQ ID NO:21 is the TcdA gene and protein sequence from GENBANK Accession No. AF188483.

[0078] SEQ ID NO:22 is the TcdB1 gene and protein sequence from GENBANK Accession No. AF346500.

[0079] SEQ ID NO:23 is the forward primer used to amplify the TcdB1 sequence from plasmid pBC-AS4.

[0080] SEQ ID NO:24 is the reverse primer used to amplify the TcdB1 sequence from plasmid pBC-AS4.

[0081] SEQ ID NO:25 is the gene and protein sequence for TccC1 from GENBANK Accession No. AAC38630.1.

[0082] SEQ ID NO:26 is the forward primer used to amplify TccC1 from the pBC KS+ vector.

[0083] SEQ ID NO:27 is the reverse primer used to amplify TccC1 from the pBC KS+ vector.

[0084] SEQ ID NO:28 is the forward primer used to amplify xptA2_Wi.

[0085] SEQ ID NO:29 is the reverse primer used to amplify xptA2_Wi.

[0086] SEQ ID NO:30 is the forward primer used to amplify xptC1_Wi.

[0087] SEQ ID NO:31 is the reverse primer used to amplify xptC1_Wi.

[0088] SEQ ID NO:32 is the forward primer used to amplify xptB1_Wi.

[0089] SEQ ID NO:33 is the reverse primer used to amplify xptB1_Wi.

[0090] SEQ ID NO:34 is the amino acid sequence of the XptA2_Wi protein from Xenorhabdus nematophilus Xwi.

[0091] SEQ ID NO:35 is the nucleic acid sequence of ORF3, of Paenibacillus strain DAS1529, which encodes a tcaA-like protein.

[0092] SEQ ID NO:36 is the amino acid sequence encoded by Paenibacillus ORF3.

[0093] SEQ ID NO:37 is the nucleic acid sequence of ORF4, of Paenibacillus strain DAS1529, which encodes a tcaB-like protein.

[0094] SEQ ID NO:38 is the amino acid sequence encoded by Paenibacillus ORF4.

[0095] SEQ ID NO:39 is the nucleic acid sequence of ORF5, of Paenibacillus strain DAS 1529, which encodes a tcaC-like protein (pptB1₁₅₂₉).

[0096] SEQ ID NO:40 is the amino acid sequence encoded by Paenibacillus ORF5 (PptB1₁₅₂₉).

[0097] SEQ ID NO:41 is the nucleic acid sequence of ORF6 (short), of Paenibacillus strain DAS1529, which encodes a tccC-like protein (PptC1_1529S).

[0098] SEQ ID NO:42 is a protein sequence encoded by Paenibacillus (short) ORF6 (PptC1_1529S).

[0099] SEQ ID NO:43 is an alternate (long) protein sequence (PptC1_1529L) encoded by Paenibacillus ORF6 (long) of SEQ ID NO:55.

[0100] SEQ ID NO:44 is the nucleotide sequence for TcdB2.

[0101] SEQ ID NO:45 is the amino acid sequence of the TcdB2 protein.

[0102] SEQ ID NO:46 is the nucleotide sequence of TccC3.

[0103] SEQ ID NO:47 is the amino acid sequence of the TccC3 protein.

[0104] SEQ ID NO:48 is the native xptB1_xb coding region (4521 bases).

[0105] SEQ ID NO:49 is the native xptB1_xb protein encoded by SEQ ID NO:48 (1506 amino acids).

[0106] SEQ ID NO:50 is the native xptC1_xb coding region (2889 bases).

[0107] SEQ ID NO:51 is the native XptC1_xb protein encoded by SEQ ID NO:50 (962 amino acids).

[0108] SEQ ID NO:52 is the Xba I to Xho I fragment of expression plasmid pDAB6031 comprising the native xptB1_xb coding region, where bases 40 to 4557 encode the protein of SEQ ID NO:49 (4595 bases).

[0109] SEQ ID NO:53 is the Xba I to Xho I fragment of expression plasmid pDAB6032 comprising the native xptC1_xb coding region, where bases 40 to 2925 encode the protein of SEQ ID NO:51 (2947 bases).

[0110] SEQ ID NO:54 is the Xba I to Xho I fragment of expression plasmid pDAB6033 comprising the native xptB1_xb and native xptC1_xbcoding regions, where bases 40 to 4557 encode the protein of SEQ ID NO:49, and bases 4601 to 7486 encode the protein of SEQ ID NO:51 (7508 bases).

[0111] SEQ ID NO:55 is the nucleic acid sequence of ORF6 (long; pptC1_1529L), of Paenibacillus strain DAS1529, which encodes a tccC-like protein (PptC1_1529L) disclosed in SEQ ID NO:43.

[0112] SEQ ID NO:56 is the gene and protein sequence for TcaC from GENBANK Accession No. AF346497.1.

[0113] SEQ ID NO:57 is the gene and protein sequence for TccC5 from GENBANK Accession No. AF346500.2.

[0114] SEQ ID NO:58 is the protein sequence for TccC2 from GENBANK Accession No. AAL18492.

[0115] SEQ ID NO:59 shows the amino acid sequence for the TcbA_W-14 protein.

[0116] SEQ ID NO:60 shows the amino acid sequence for the SepB protein.

[0117] SEQ ID NO:61 shows the amino acid sequence for the SepC protein.

[0118] SEQ ID NO:62 shows the amino acid sequence for the TcdA2_W-14 protein.

[0119] SEQ ID NO:63 shows the amino acid sequence for the TcdA4_W-14 protein.

[0120] SEQ ID NO:64 shows the amino acid sequence for the TccC4_W-14 protein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0121] The subject invention relates to the novel use of toxin complex (TC) proteins, obtainable from organisms such as Xenorhabdus, Photorhabdus, and Paenibacillus. As discussed below, one or more TC potentiators were used to enhance the activity of a TC toxin protein that is different from the TC toxin which one or both of the potentiators enhance in nature. As one skilled in the art will recognize with the benefit of this disclosure, this has broad implications and expands the range of utility that individual types of TC proteins will now be recognized to have.

[0122] It was known that some TC proteins have “stand alone” insecticidal activity, and other TC proteins were known to enhance the activity of the stand-alone toxins produced by the same given organism. In particularly preferred embodiments of the subject invention, the toxicity of a “stand-alone” TC protein (from Photorhabdus, Xenorhabdus, or Paenibacillus, for example) is enhanced by one or more TC protein “potentiators” derived from a source organism of a different genus.

[0123] There are three main types of TC proteins. As referred to herein, Class A proteins (“Protein A”) are stand alone toxins. Native Class A proteins are approximately 280 kDa.

[0124] Class B proteins (“Protein B”) and Class C proteins (“Protein C”) enhance the toxicity of Class A proteins. As used referred to herein, native Class B proteins are approximately 170 kDa, and native Class C proteins are approximately 112 kDa.

[0125] Examples of Class A proteins are TcbA, TcdA, XptA1, and XptA2. Examples of Class B proteins are TcaC, TcdB, XptB1_Xb, and XptC1_Wi. Examples of Class C proteins are TccC, XptC1_Xb, and XptB1_Wi.

[0126] The exact mechanism of action for the toxicity and enhancement activities are not currently known, but the exact mechanism of action is not important. What is important is that the target insect eats or otherwise ingests the A, B, and C proteins.

[0127] It was known that the TcdA protein is active, alone, against Manduca sexta. It was also known that TcdB1 and TccC, together, can be used to enhance the activity of TcdA. TcbA is another stand-alone Photorhabdus toxin. One combination of TC proteins currently contemplated in the art is TcaC (or TcdB) and TccC (as potentiators) together with TcdA or TcbA. Similarly in Xenorhabdus, it was known that XptB1 and XptC1 enhanced the activity of XptA1 or XptA2, the latter of which are each “stand alone” toxins.

[0128] Although the complex of (TcbA or TcdA)+(TcaC+TccC) might appear to be a similar arrangement as the complex of (XptA1 or XptA2)+(XptC2+XptB1), each Photorhabdus component shares only about 40% (approximately) sequence identity with the “corresponding” Xenorhabdus component. The unique TC proteins from Paenibacillus also share only about 40% sequence identity with “corresponding” Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus TC proteins (those proteins and that discovery are the subject of co-pending U.S. application serial No. 60/392,633, Bintrim et al., filed Jun. 28, 2002).

[0129] It is in this context that it was discovered, as described herein, that Xenorhabdus TC proteins could be used to enhance the activity of Photorhabdus TC proteins and vice versa. Paenibacillus TC proteins are also surprisingly demonstrated herein to potentiate the activity of Xenorhabdus (and Photorhabdus) TC toxins. This was not previously proposed or demonstrated, and was very surprising especially in light of the notable differences between Xenorhabdus, Photorhabdus, and Paenibacillus TC proteins. There was certainly no expectation that divergent proteins from these divergent organisms would be compatible with each other.

[0130] The subject invention can be performed in many different ways. A plant can be engineered to produce two types of Class A proteins and a single pair of potentiators (B and C proteins). Every cell of the plant, or every cell in a given type of tissue (such as roots or leaves) can have genes to encode the two A proteins and the B and C pair.

[0131] Alternatively, different cells of the plant can produce only one (or more) of each of these proteins. In this situation, when an insect bites and eats tissues of the plant, it could eat a cell that produces the first Protein A, another cell that produces the second Protein A, another cell that produces the B protein, and yet another cell that produces the C protein. Thus, what would be important is that the plant (not necessarily each plant cell) produces two A proteins, the B protein, and the C protein of the subject invention so that insect pests eat all four of these proteins when they eat tissue of the plant.

[0132] Aside from transgenic plants, there are many other ways of administering the proteins, in a combination of the subject invention, to the target pest. Spray-on applications are known in the art. Some or all of the A, B, and C proteins can be sprayed (the plant could produce one or more of the proteins and the others could be sprayed). Various types of bait granules for soil applications, for example, are also known in the art and can be used according to the subject invention.

[0133] Many combinations of various TC proteins are shown herein to function in surprising, new ways. One example set forth herein shows the use of TcdB1 and TccC1 to enhance the activity of XptA2 against corn earworm, for example. Another example set forth herein is the use of XptB1 together with TcdB1 to enhance the activity of TcdA against corn rootworm, for example. Similarly, and also surprisingly, it was further discovered that TC proteins from Paenibacillus could be used to enhance the activity of TcdA-like and XptA2_Xwi-like proteins. Some of the examples included herein are as follows: 3

[0134] The use of these and other combinations will now be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the subject disclosure.

[0135] Stand-alone toxins such as TcbA, TcdA, XptA1, and XptA2 are each in the approximate size range of 280 kDa. TcaC, TcdB1, TcdB2, and XptC1 are each approximately 170 kDa. TccC1, TccC3, and XptB1are each approximately 112 kDa. Thus, preferred embodiments of the subject invention include the use of a 280-kDa type TC protein toxin (as described herein) with a 170-kDa class TC protein (as described herein) together with a 112-kDa class TC protein (as described herein), wherein at least one of said three proteins is derived from a source organism (such as Photorhabdus, Xenorhabdus, or Paenibacillus) that is of a different genus than the source organism from which one or more of the other TC proteins is/are derived.

[0136] The subject invention provides one skilled in the art with many surprising advantages. Among the most important advantages is that one skilled in the art will now be able to use a single pair of potentiators to enhance the activity of a stand-alone Xenorhabdus protein toxin, for example, as well as a stand-alone Photorhabdus protein toxin, for example. (As one skilled in the art knows, Xenorhabdus toxin proteins tend to be more desirable for controlling lepidopterans while Photorhabdus toxin proteins tend to be more desirable for controlling coleopterans.) This reduces the number of genes (and transformation events) needed to be expressed by a transgenic plant to achieve effective control of a wider spectrum of target pests. That is, rather than having to express six genes—two toxins and two pairs of potentiators—the subject invention allows for the expression of only four genes—two toxins and one pair of potentiator proteins.

[0137] Thus, the subject invention includes a transgenic plant and/or a transgenic plant cell that co-expresses a polynucleotide or polynucleotides encoding two (or more) different stand-alone TC protein toxins, and a polynucleotide or polynucleotides encoding a single pair of TC protein potentiators—a Class B protein and a Class C protein—wherein one or both of said potentiators is/are derived from a bacterium of a genus that is different from the genus from which one of the stand-alone TC protein toxins is derived. Accordingly, one can now obtain a cell having two (or more) TC protein toxins (Class A proteins) that are enhanced by a single pair of protein potentiators (a Class B and a Class C protein). There was no previous suggestion to produce such cells, and certainly no expectation that both (or all) such toxins produced by said cell would be active to adequate levels (due to the surprising enhancement as reported herein). TC proteins, as the term is used herein, are known in the art. Such proteins include stand-alone toxins and potentiators. Bacteria known to produce TC proteins include those of the following genera: Photorhabdus, Xenorhabdus, Paenibacillus, Serratia, and Pseudomonas. See, e.g., Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae B728a (GenBank Accession Numbers gi:23470933 and gi:23472543). Any of such TC proteins can be used according to the subject invention.

[0138] Examples of stand-alone (Class A) toxins, as the term is used herein, include TcbA and TcdA from Photorhabus, and XptA1 and XptA2 from Xenorhabdus. Toxins in this class are about 280 kDa. Further examples of stand-alone toxins include SepA from Serratia entomophila (GenBank Accession No. AAG09642.1). Class A proteins can be ˜230 kDa (especially if truncated), ˜250-290 kDa, ˜260-285 kDa, and ˜270 kDa, for example.

[0139] There are two main types or classes of potentiators, as the term is used herein. Examples of the “Class B” of potentiators (sometimes referred to herein as Potentiator 1) include TcaC, TcdB1, and TcdB2 from Photorhabus, XptC1 from Xenorhabdus, and the protein product of ORF5 of Paenibacillus strain DAS 1529. Potentiators in this class are typically in the size range of about 170 kDa. Further examples of ˜170 kDa class potentiators are SepB from Serratia entomophila (GenBank Accession No. AAG09643. 1; reproduced here as SEQ ID NO:60), TcaC homologs from Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae B728a (GenBank Accession Numbers gi23472544 and gi23059431), and X. nematophilus PO ORF268 (encoded by bases 258-1991 of FIG. 2 of WO 20/004855). A preferred ˜170 kDa potentiator is TcdB2 (SEQ ID NOs:44-45). Class B proteins can be ˜130-180 kDa, ˜140-170 kDa, ˜150-165 kDa, and ˜155 kDa, for example.

[0140] Examples of the “Class C” potentiators (sometimes referred to herein as Potentiator 2) include TccC1 and TccC3 from Photorhabus, XptB1 from Xenorhabdus, and the protein product of ORF6 of Paenibacillus strain DAS 1529. Potentiators in this class are typically in the size range of about 112 kDa. Further examples of ˜112 kDa class potentiators are SepC from Serratia entomophila (GenBank Accession No. AAG09644.1; reproduced here as SEQ ID NO:61), and TccC homologs from Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae B728a (GenBank Accession Numbers gi:23470227, gi:23472546, gi:23472540, gi:23472541, gi:23468542, gi:23472545, gi:23058175, gi:23058176, gi:23059433, gi:23059435, and gi:23059432). A preferred 112 kDa potentiator is TccC3 (SEQ ID NOs:46-47). Class C proteins can be ˜90-120 kDa, ˜95-115 kDa, ˜100-110 kDa, and ˜105-107 kDa, for example.

[0141] WO 02/94867, U.S. patent application 20020078478, and Waterfield et al. (TRENDS in Microbiology Vol. 10, No. 12, December 2002, pp. 541-545) disclose TC proteins that can be used according to the subject invention. For example, Waterfield et al. disclose tcdB2, tccC3, tccC5, tcdA2, tcdA3, and tcdA4 genes and proteins. Any of the relevant TC proteins disclosed by relevant references discussed above in the Background section (and any other references relating to TC proteins) can also be used according to the subject invention.

[0142] Thus, one embodiment of the subject invention includes a transgenic plant or plant cell that produces one, two, or more types of stand-alone TC protein toxins, and a single pair of potentiators: Potentiator 1 and Potentiator 2 (examples of each of these three components are given above and elsewhere herein) wherein at least one of said TC proteins is derived from an organism of a genus that is different from the genes from which one or more of the other TC proteins is derived.

[0143] It should be clear that examples of the subject invention include a transgenic plant or plant cell that produces/co-expresses one type of a Photorhabdus toxin (e.g., TcbA or TcdA), one type of a Xenorhabdus toxin (e.g., XptA1 or XptA2), and a single (one and only one) pair of potentiator proteins (e.g., TcaC and TccC, without XptC1 or XptB1; or XptC1 and XptB1, without TcaC or TccC; or TcaC and Paenibacillus ORF6 without any other potentiators; or TcdB and XptB1 without any other potentiators; these combinations are only exemplary; many other combinations would be clear to one skilled in the art having the benefit of the subject disclosure). Additional potentiators could be used according to the subject invention to enhance heterologous toxins, but multiple types of potentiator pairs are not essential. This is one very surprising aspect of the subject invention.

[0144] It should also be clear that the subject invention can be defined in many ways—other than in terms of what is co-expressed by a transgenic plant or plant cell. For example, the subject invention includes methods of potentiating the activity of one or more stand-alone TC protein toxin(s) by coexpressing/coproducing it (or them) with a single pair of potentiators, wherein one or both of the potentiators is/are derived from an organism of a genus that is different from the genus of the organism from which the TC protein toxin is derived. The subject invention also includes methods of controlling insect (and like) pests by feeding them one or more types of TC protein toxins together with one or more pairs of potentiators (e.g., TcbA and XptA1 and XptC1 and XptB1, possibly without TcaC and TccC), including cells that produced this combination of proteins, wherein one or both of the potentiators is/are derived from an organism of a genus that differs from one or both of the stand-alone toxins.

[0145] Such arrangements were not heretofore contemplated or expected to have activity. One way of understanding why the subject results were surprising is to consider the sequence relatedness of some of the protein components exemplified herein. For example, XptA2, a stand-alone toxin from Xenorhabdus, has about 43% sequence identity with TcdA and about 41% identity with TcbA. TcdA and TcbA are each stand-alone toxins from Photorhabdus. XptA1 (another stand-alone toxin from Xenorhabdus) has about 45% identity with TcdA and TcbA.

[0146] TcaC (a Photorhabdus ˜170 kDa potentiator) has about 49% sequence identity with XptC1 (a ˜170 kDa Xenorhabdus potentiator). TccC (a ˜112 kDa Photorhabdus potentiator) has about 48% sequence identity with XptB1(a ˜112 kDa Xenorhabdus potentiator). Heretofore, TcaC+TccC, for example, would not have been expected to enhance the activity of a protein (XptA1 or XptA2) that has only 40-45% sequence identity with the native “target” of the TcaC+TccC association. (The scores reported above were obtained by using the program FASTA 6.0 and are from Morgan et al., “Sequence Analysis of Insecticidal Genes from Xenorhabdus nematophiles PMFI296,” Vol. 67, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, May 2001, pp. 2062-2069).

[0147] Some examples of components for use according to the subject invention, and their relatedness to each other, include: 4

[0148] 5

[0149] 6

[0150] Thus, referring to the genus of a bacterium from which a TC protein was derived is not simply a matter of arbitrary nomenclature. As illustrated above, doing so helps define a class of TC proteins that are relatively conserved amongst themselves (such as a given type of TC protein produced by Photorhabdus species and strains) but which are relatively quite divergent from other “corresponding” TC proteins derived from a different microbial genus (such as those produced by various Xenorhabdus species and strains).

[0151] Another way to define each TC protein component of the subject invention is by a given protein's degree of sequence identity to a given toxin or potentiator. Means for calculating identity scores are provided herein. Thus, one specific embodiment of the subject invention includes a transgenic plant or plant cell co-producing a toxin having at least 75% sequence identity with XptA2, a toxin having at least 75% identity with TcdA or TcbA, a potentiator having at least 75% sequence identity with TcdB1 or TcdB2, and a potentiator having at least 75% sequence identity with TccC1 or TccC3. Other TC proteins can be substituted into the above formula, in accordance with the teachings of the subject invention. Other, more specific ranges of identity scores are provided elsewhere herein.

[0152] Yet another way of defining a given type of TC protein component of the subject invention is by the hybridization characteristics of the polynucleotide that encodes it. Much more detailed information regarding such “tests” and hybridization (and wash) conditions is provided throughout the subject specification. Thus, TC proteins for use according to the subject invention can be defined by the ability of a polynucleotide that encodes the TC protein to hybridize with a given “tc” gene.

[0153] Applying that guidance to a particular example, an XptA2-type toxin of the subject invention could be defined as being encoded by a polynucleotide, wherein a nucleic acid sequence that codes for said ZptA2-type toxin hybridizes with the xptA2 gene of SEQ ID NO:19, wherein hybridization is maintained after hybridization and wash under any such conditions described or suggested herein (such as the examples of low, moderate, and high stringency hybridization/wash conditions mentioned herein). Any of the other exemplified or suggested TC proteins (including potentiators or other toxins) could be substituted for XptA2 in this definition, such as TcdB2, TccC3, TcdA, and TcbA.

[0154] Thus, the subject invention includes a transgenic plant, a transgenic plant cell, or a bacterial cell that co-expresses certain combinations of polynucleotides that encode TC proteins of the subject invention. It should be clear that the subject invention includes a transgenic plant or plant cell that co-expresses two toxin genes and only one pair of potentiators. Thus, the subject invention includes a trangenic plant or plant cell comprising one or more polynucleotides encoding a toxin in a class of a toxin indicated below as Toxin Pair 1, 2, 3, or 4 as follows, and wherein said plant or cell consists of DNA encoding one pair of potentiators selected from the group consisting of proteins in the class of potentiators shown in Potentiator Pair 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, as indicated below. Stated another way, said plant or cell consists of a polynucleotide segment encoding one potentiator of Potentiator Pair 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, and said plant or cell consists of another polynucleotide segment encoding the other potentiator of the selected Potentiator Pair. 7

[0155] The plant or cell can comprise genes encoding additional TC protein toxins (e.g., so that the cell produces TcbA as well as TcdA, and/or XptA1 and XptA2), but only one pair of potentiators is used according to preferred embodiments of the subject invention. (Of course, the cell or plant will produce multiple copies of the potentiators; the key is that additional transformation events can be avoided.)

[0156] Further embodiments of the subject invention include a transgenic cell or plant that co-expresses a stand-alone protein toxin and a single (no more than one) potentiator pair comprising at least one “heterologous” (derived from a bacterium of a genus that is other than the genus of the organism from which the toxin is derived) TC protein. The subject invention also includes potentiating the insecticidal activity of a TC protein toxin with a pair of TC proteins that are potentiators, wherein at least one (one or both) of said TC protein potentiators is a heterologous TC protein, with respect to the TC protein toxin it helps to potentiate. Sets of toxins and the potentiators used to enhance the toxin include the following combinations: 8

[0157] It should be clear that the above matrices are intended to include, for example, TcdB2+TccC3 (a preferred pair of potentiators) with any of the toxins such as XptA1 and/or XptA2 (together with TcbA and/or TcdA).

[0158] Other embodiments and combinations will be apparent to one skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0159] The subject invention also provides “mixed pairs” of potentiators such as Potentiator Pairs 3, 4, and 5 as illustrated above. Such combinations were not heretofore expected (or suggested) to be active as TC protein toxin enhancers. Thus, such “heterologous” combinations of potentiators can now be selected to maximize their ability to enhance two (for example) insecticidal toxins. That is, one might now find that, for a given use, TcdB1 and XptB1 is a more desirable pair of potentiators than is XptC1 and XptB1, for example. Again, this is surprising given the relative degree of sequence divergence between a given Photorhabdus potentiator and a Xenorhabdus potentiator for which it is substituted, as well as the degree of difference between the natural “target” toxins which the potentiators would naturally enhance. Therefore, it should be clear that the subject invention also provides heterologous potentiator pairs (i.e., where the Class B (˜170 kDa) potentiator is derived from a bacterial genus that is different from the bacterial genus from which the Class C (˜112 kDa) potentiator is derived).

[0160] The subject invention is not limited to 280 kDa TC protein toxins and a heterologous 112 kDa and/or 170·kDa TC protein potentiator. As this is the first observation of the ability to “mix and match” Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus, for example, TC proteins, the subject invention includes any substitution of a Xenorhabdus TC protein with a “corresponding” Photorhabdus TC protein, and vice versa. For example, one skilled in the art will also now seek to use various heterlogous combinations involving “Toxin C” components (as discussed above in the Background section) and “Toxin D” components (e.g., TccA+XptD1).

[0161] The subject invention also includes the use of a transgenic plant producing a subject TC protein combination together with one or more Bacillus thuringiensis Cry proteins, for example.

[0162] Proteins and toxins. The present invention provides easily administered, functional proteins. The present invention also provides a method for delivering insecticidal toxins that are functionally active and effective against many orders of insects, preferably lepidopteran insects. By “functional activity” (or “active against”) it is meant herein that the protein toxins function as orally active insect control agents (alone or in combination with other proteins), that the proteins have a toxic effect (alone or in combination with other proteins), or are able to disrupt or deter insect growth and/or feeding which may or may not cause death of the insect. When an insect comes into contact with an effective amount of a “toxin” of the subject invention delivered via transgenic plant expression, formulated protein composition(s), sprayable protein composition(s), a bait matrix or other delivery system, the results are typically death of the insect, inhibition of the growth and/or proliferation of the insect, and/or prevention of the insects from feeding upon the source (preferably a transgenic plant) that makes the toxins available to the insects. Functional proteins of the subject invention can also work together or alone to enhance or improve the activity of one or more other toxin proteins. The terms “toxic,” “toxicity,” or “toxin” as used herein are meant to convey that the subject “toxins” have “functional activity” as defined herein.

[0163] Complete lethality to feeding insects is preferred, but is not required to achieve functional activity. If an insect avoids the toxin or ceases feeding, that avoidance will be useful in some applications, even if the effects are sublethal or lethality is delayed or indirect. For example, if insect resistant transgenic plants are desired, the reluctance of insects to feed on the plants is as useful as lethal toxicity to the insects because the ultimate objective is avoiding insect-induced plant damage.

[0164] There are many other ways in which toxins can be incorporated into an insect's diet. For example, it is possible to adulterate the larval food source with the toxic protein by spraying the food with a protein solution, as disclosed herein. Alternatively, the purified protein could be genetically engineered into an otherwise harmless bacterium, which could then be grown in culture, and either applied to the food source or allowed to reside in the soil in an area in which insect eradication was desirable. Also, the protein could be genetically engineered directly into an insect food source. For instance, the major food source for many insect larvae is plant material. Therefore the genes encoding toxins can be transferred to plant material so that said plant material expresses the toxin of interest.

[0165] Transfer of the functional activity to plant or bacterial systems typically requires nucleic acid sequences, encoding the amino acid sequences for the toxins, integrated into a protein expression vector appropriate to the host in which the vector will reside. One way to obtain a nucleic acid sequence encoding a protein with functional activity is to isolate the native genetic material from the bacterial species which produce the toxins, using information deduced from the toxin's amino acid sequence, as disclosed herein. The native sequences can be optimized for expression in plants, for example, as discussed in more detail below. Optimized polynucleotide can also be designed based on the protein sequence.

[0166] The subject invention provides classes of TC proteins having toxin activities. One way to characterize these classes of toxins and the polynucleotides that encode them is by defining a polynucleotide by its ability to hybridize, under a range of specified conditions, with an exemplified nucleotide sequence (the complement thereof and/or a probe or probes derived from either strand) and/or by their ability to be amplified by PCR using primers derived from the exemplified sequences.

[0167] There are a number of methods for obtaining the pesticidal toxins for use according to the subject invention. For example, antibodies to the pesticidal toxins disclosed herein can be used to identify and isolate other toxins from a mixture of proteins. Specifically, antibodies maybe raised to the portions of the toxins which are most constant and most distinct from other toxins. These antibodies can then be used to specifically identify equivalent toxins with the characteristic activity by immunoprecipitation, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), or immuno-blotting. Antibodies to the toxins disclosed herein, or to equivalent toxins, or to fragments of these toxins, can be readily prepared using standard procedures. Such antibodies are an aspect of the subject invention. Toxins of the subject invention can be obtained from a variety of sources/source microorganisms.

[0168] One skilled in the art would readily recognize that toxins (and genes) of the subject invention can be obtained from a variety of sources. A toxin “from” or “obtainable from” any of the subject isolates referred to or suggested herein means that the toxin (or a similar toxin) can be obtained from the isolate or some other source, such as another bacterial strain or a plant. “Derived from” also has this connotation, and includes proteins obtainable from a given type of bacterium that are modified for expression in a plant, for example. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that, given the disclosure of a bacterial gene and toxin, a plant can be engineered to produce the toxin. Antibody preparations, nucleic acid probes (DNA and RNA), and the like may be prepared using the polynucleotide and/or amino acid sequences disclosed herein and used to screen and recover other toxin genes from other (natural) sources.

[0169] Polynucleotides and probes. The subject invention further provides nucleotide sequences that encode the TC proteins for use according to the subject invention. The subject invention further provides methods of identifying and characterizing genes that encode proteins having toxin activity. In one embodiment, the subject invention provides unique nucleotide sequences that are useful as hybridization probes and/or primers for PCR techniques. The primers produce characteristic gene fragments that can be used in the identification, characterization, and/or isolation of specific toxin genes. The nucleotide sequences of the subject invention encode toxins that are distinct from previously described toxins.

[0170] The polynucleotides of the subject invention can be used to form complete “genes” to encode proteins or peptides in a desired host cell. For example, as the skilled artisan would readily recognize, the subject polynucleotides can be appropriately placed under the control of a promoter in a host of interest, as is readily known in the art.

[0171] As the skilled artisan knows, DNA typically exists in a double-stranded form. In this arrangement, one strand is complementary to the other strand and vice versa. As DNA is replicated in a plant (for example), additional complementary strands of DNA are produced. The “coding strand” is often used in the art to refer to the strand that binds with the anti-sense strand. The mRNA is transcribed from the “anti-sense” strand of DNA. The “sense” or “coding” strand has a series of codons (a codon is three nucleotides that can be read as a three-residue unit to specify a particular amino acid) that can be read as an open reading frame (ORF) to form a protein or peptide of interest. In order to produce a protein in vivo, a strand of DNA is typically transcribed into a complementary strand of mRNA which is used as the template for the protein. Thus, the subject invention includes the use of the exemplified polynucleotides shown in the attached sequence listing and/or equivalents including the complementary strands. RNA and PNA (peptide nucleic acids) that are functionally equivalent to the exemplified DNA are included in the subject invention.

[0172] In one embodiment of the subject invention, bacterial isolates can be cultivated under conditions resulting in high multiplication of the microbe. After treating the microbe to provide single-stranded genomic nucleic acid, the DNA can be contacted with the primers of the invention and subjected to PCR amplification. Characteristic fragments of toxin-encoding genes will be amplified by the procedure, thus identifying the presence of the toxin-encoding gene(s).

[0173] Further aspects of the subject invention include genes and isolates identified using the methods and nucleotide sequences disclosed herein. The genes thus identified encode toxins active against pests.

[0174] Proteins and genes for use according to the subject invention can be identified and obtained by using oligonucleotide probes, for example. These probes are detectable nucleotide sequences which may be detectable by virtue of an appropriate label or may be made inherently fluorescent as described in International Application No. WO 93/16094. The probes (and the polynucleotides of the subject invention) may be DNA, RNA, or PNA. In addition to adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), thymine (T), and uracil (U; for RNA molecules), synthetic probes (and polynucleotides) of the subject invention can also have inosine (a neutral base capable of pairing with all four bases; sometimes used in place of a mixture of all four bases in synthetic probes). Thus, where a synthetic, degenerate oligonucleotide is referred to herein, and “N” or “n” is used generically, “N” or “n” can be G, A, T, C, or inosine. Ambiguity codes as used herein are in accordance with standard IUPAC naming conventions as of the filing of the subject application (for example, R means A or G, Y means C or T, etc.).

[0175] As is well known in the art, if a probe molecule hybridizes with a nucleic acid sample, it can be reasonably assumed that the probe and sample have substantial homology/similarity/identity. Preferably, hybridization of the polynucleotide is first conducted followed by washes under conditions of low, moderate, or high stringency by techniques well-known in the art, as described in, for example, Keller, G. H., M. M. Manak (1987) DNA Probes, Stockton Press, New York, N.Y., pp. 169-170. For example, as stated therein, low stringency conditions can be achieved by first washing with 2×SSC (Standard Saline Citrate)/0.1% SDS (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate) for 15 minutes at room temperature. Two washes are typically performed. Higher stringency can then be achieved by lowering the salt concentration and/or by raising the temperature. For example, the wash described above can be followed by two washings with 0.1×SSC/0.1% SDS for 15 minutes each at room temperature followed by subsequent washes with 0.1×SSC/0.1% SDS for 30 minutes each at 55° C. These temperatures can be used with other hybridization and wash protocols set forth herein and as would be known to one skilled in the art (SSPE can be used as the salt instead of SSC, for example). The 2×SSC/0.1% SDS can be prepared by adding 50 ml of 20×SSC and 5 ml of 10% SDS to 445 ml of water. 20×SSC can be prepared by combining NaCl (175.3 g/0.150 M), sodium citrate (88.2 g/0.015 M), and water, adjusting pH to 7.0 with 10 N Na0H, then adjusting the volume to 1 liter 10% SDS can be prepared by dissolving 10 g of SDS in 50 ml of autoclaved water, then diluting to 100 ml.

[0176] Detection of the probe provides a means for determining in a known manner whether hybridization has been maintained. Such a probe analysis provides a rapid method for identifying toxin-encoding genes of the subject invention. The nucleotide segments which are used as probes according to the invention can be synthesized using a DNA synthesizer and standard procedures. These nucleotide sequences can also be used as PCR primers to amplify genes of the subject invention.

[0177] Hybridization characteristics of a molecule can be used to define polynucleotides of the subject invention. Thus the subject invention includes polynucleotides (and/or their complements, preferably their full complements) that hybridize with a polynucleotide exemplified herein. That is, one way to define a tcdA-like gene (and the protein it encodes), for example, is by its ability to hybridize (under any of the conditions specifically disclosed herein) with a previously known, including a specifically exemplified, tcdA gene. The same is true for xptA2-, tcaC-, tcaA-, tcaB-, tcdB-, tccC-, and xptB1-like genes and related proteins, for example. This also includes the tcdB2 and tccC3 genes.

[0178] As used herein, “stringent” conditions for hybridization refers to conditions which achieve the same, or about the same, degree of specificity of hybridization as the conditions employed by the current applicants. Specifically, hybridization of immobilized DNA on Southern blots with ³²P-labeled gene-specific probes was performed by standard methods (see, e.g., Maniatis, T., E. F. Fritsch, J. Sambrook [1982] Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.). In general, hybridization and subsequent washes were carried out under conditions that allowed for detection of target sequences. For double-stranded DNA gene probes, hybridization was carried out overnight at 20-25° C. below the melting temperature (Tm) of the DNA hybrid in 6×SSPE, 5×Denhardt's solution, 0.1% SDS, 0.1 mg/ml denatured DNA. The melting temperature is described by the following formula (Beltz, G. A., K. A. Jacobs, T. H. Eickbush, P. T. Cherbas, and F. C. Kafatos [1983] Methods of Enzymology, R. Wu, L. Grossman and K. Moldave [eds.] Academic Press, New York 100:266-285):

Tm=81.5° C.+16.6 Log [Na+]+0.41(% G+C)−0.61(% formamide)−600/length of duplex in base pairs.

[0179] Washes are typically carried out as follows:

[0180] (1) Twice at room temperature for 15 minutes in 1×SSPE, 0.1% SDS (low stringency wash).

[0181] (2) Once at Tm-20° C. for 15 minutes in 0.2×SSPE, 0.1% SDS (moderate stringency wash).

[0182] For oligonucleotide probes, hybridization was carried out overnight at 10-20° C. below the melting temperature (Tm) of the hybrid in 6×SSPE, 5×Denhardt's solution, 0.1% SDS, 0.1 mg/ml denatured DNA. Tm for oligonucleotide probes was determined by the following formula:

Tm(° C.)=2(number T/A base pairs)+4(number G/C base pairs)

[0183] (Suggs, S. V., T. Miyake, E. H. Kawashime, M. J. Johnson, K. Itakura, and R. B. Wallace [1981] ICN-UCLA Symp. Dev. Biol. Using Purified Genes, D. D. Brown [ed.], Academic Press, New York, 23:683-693).

[0184] Washes were typically carried out as follows:

[0185] (1) Twice at room temperature for 15 minutes 1×SSPE, 0.1% SDS (low stringency wash).

[0186] (2) Once at the hybridization temperature for 15 minutes in 1×SSPE, 0.1% SDS (moderate stringency wash).

[0187] In general, salt and/or temperature can be altered to change stringency. With a labeled DNA fragment >70 or so bases in length, the following conditions can be used: 9

[0188] Duplex formation and stability depend on substantial complementarity between the two strands of a hybrid, and, as noted above, a certain degree of mismatch can be tolerated. Therefore, the probe sequences of the subject invention include mutations (both single and multiple), deletions, insertions of the described sequences, and combinations thereof, wherein said mutations, insertions and deletions permit formation of stable hybrids with the target polynucleotide of interest. Mutations, insertions, and deletions can be produced in a given polynucleotide sequence in many ways, and these methods are known to an ordinarily skilled artisan. Other methods may become known in the future.

[0189] PCR technology. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a repetitive, enzymatic, primed synthesis of a nucleic acid sequence. This procedure is well known and commonly used by those skilled in this art (see Mullis, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195,4,683,202, and 4,800,159; Saiki, Randall K., Stephen Scharf, Fred Faloona, Kary B. Mullis, Glenn T. Horn, Henry A. Erlich, Norman Arnheim [1985] “Enzymatic Amplification of β-Globin Genomic Sequences and Restriction Site Analysis for Diagnosis of Sickle Cell Anemia,” Science 230:1350-1354). PCR is based on the enzymatic amplification of a DNA fragment of interest that is flanked by two oligonucleotide primers that hybridize to opposite strands of the target sequence. The primers are oriented with the 3′ ends pointing towards each other. Repeated cycles of heat denaturation of the template, annealing of the primers to their complementary sequences, and extension of the annealed primers with a DNA polymerase result in the amplification of the segment defined by the 5′ ends of the PCR primers. The extension product of each primer can serve as a template for the other primer, so each cycle essentially doubles the amount of DNA fragment produced in the previous cycle. This results in the exponential accumulation of the specific target fragment, up to several million-fold in a few hours. By using a thermostable DNA polymerase such as Taq polymerase, isolated from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus, the amplification process can be completely automated. Other enzymes which can be used are known to those skilled in the art.

[0190] The DNA sequences of the subject invention can be used as primers for PCR amplification. In performing PCR amplification, a certain degree of mismatch can be tolerated between primer and template. Therefore, mutations, deletions, and insertions (especially additions of nucleotides to the 5′ end) of the exemplified primers fall within the scope of the subject invention. Mutations, insertions, and deletions can be produced in a given primer by methods known to an ordinarily skilled artisan.

[0191] Modification of genes and toxins. The genes and toxins useful according to the subject invention include not only the specifically exemplified full-length sequences, but also portions, segments and/or fragments (including internal and/or terminal deletions compared to the full-length molecules) of these sequences, variants, mutants, chimerics, and fusions thereof. Proteins of the subject invention can have substituted amino acids so long as they retain the characteristic pesticidal/functional activity of the proteins specifically exemplified herein. “Variant” genes have nucleotide sequences that encode the same toxins or equivalent toxins having pesticidal activity equivalent to an exemplified protein. The terms “variant proteins” and “equivalent toxins” refer to toxins having the same or essentially the same biological/functional activity against the target pests and equivalent sequences as the exemplified toxins. As used herein, reference to an “equivalent” sequence refers to sequences having amino acid substitutions, deletions, additions, or insertions which improve or do not adversely affect pesticidal activity. Fragments retaining pesticidal activity are also included in this definition. Fragments and other equivalents that retain the same or similar function, or “toxin activity,” as a corresponding fragment of an exemplified toxin are within the scope of the subject invention. Changes, such as amino acid substitutions or additions, can be made for a variety of purposes, such as increasing (or decreasing) protease stability of the protein (without materially/substantially decreasing the functional activity of the toxin).

[0192] Equivalent toxins and/or genes encoding these equivalent toxins can be obtained/derived from wild-type or recombinant bacteria and/or from other wild-type or recombinant organisms using the teachings provided herein. Other Bacillus, Serratia, Paenibacillus, Photorhabdus, and Xenorhabdus species, for example, can be used as source isolates.

[0193] Variations of genes may be readily constructed using standard techniques for making point mutations, for example. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,793, for example, describes methods for generating additional molecular diversity by using DNA reassembly after random fragmentation. Variant genes can be used to produce variant proteins; recombinant hosts can be used to produce the variant proteins. Using these “gene shuffling” techniques, equivalent genes and proteins can be constructed that comprise any 5, 10, or 20 contiguous residues (amino acid or nucleotide) of any sequence exemplified herein. As one skilled in the art knows, the gene shuffling techniques can be adjusted to obtain equivalents having, for example, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 499, or 500 contiguous residues (amino acid or nucleotide), corresponding to a segment (of the same size) in any of the exemplified or suggested sequences (or the complements (full complements) thereof). Similarly sized segments, especially those for conserved regions, can also be used as probes and/or primers.

[0194] Fragments of full-length genes can be made using commercially available exonucleases or endonucleases according to standard procedures. For example, enzymes such as Bal31 or site-directed mutagenesis can be used to systematically cut off nucleotides from the ends of these genes. Also, genes which encode active fragments may be obtained using a variety of restriction enzymes. Proteases may be used to directly obtain active fragments of these toxins.

[0195] It is within the scope of the invention as disclosed herein that toxins (and TC proteins) may be truncated and still retain functional activity. By “truncated toxin” is meant that a portion of a toxin protein may be cleaved and yet still exhibit activity after cleavage. Cleavage can be achieved by proteases inside or outside of the insect gut. Furthermore, effectively cleaved proteins can be produced using molecular biology techniques wherein the DNA bases encoding said toxin are removed either through digestion with restriction endonucleases or other techniques available to the skilled artisan. After truncation, said proteins can be expressed in heterologous systems such as E. coli, baculoviruses, plant-based viral systems, yeast and the like and then placed in insect assays as disclosed herein to determine activity. It is well-known in the art that truncated toxins can be successfully produced so that they retain functional activity while having less than the entire, full-length sequence. It is well known in the art that B.t. toxins can be used in a truncated (core toxin) form. See, e.g., Adang et al., Gene 36:289-300 (1985), “Characterized full-length and truncated plasmid clones of the crystal protein of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp kurstaki HD-73 and their toxicity to Manduca sexta.” There are other examples of truncated proteins that retain insecticidal activity, including the insect juvenile hormone esterase (U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,485 to the Regents of the University of California). As used herein, the term “toxin” is also meant to include functionally active truncations.

[0196] In some cases, especially for expression in plants, it can be advantageous to use truncated genes that express truncated proteins. Höfte et al. 1989, for example, discussed in the Background Section above, discussed protoxin and core toxin segments of B.t. toxins. Preferred truncated genes will typically encode 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99% of the full-length protein. The Background section also discusses protease processing and reassembly of the segments of TcdA and TcbA, for example.

[0197] Certain toxins/TC proteins of the subject invention have been specifically exemplified herein. As these toxins/TC proteins are merely exemplary of the proteins of the subject invention, it should be readily apparent that the subject invention comprises variant or equivalent proteins (and nucleotide sequences coding for equivalents thereof) having the same or similar toxin activity of the exemplified proteins. Equivalent proteins will have amino acid similarity (and/or homology) with an exemplified toxin/TC protein. The amino acid identity will typically be greater than 60%, preferably greater than 75%, more preferably greater than 80%, even more preferably greater than 90%, and can be greater than 95%. Preferred polynucleotides and proteins of the subject invention can also be defined in terms of more particular identity and/or similarity ranges. For example, the identity and/or similarity can be 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99% as compared to a sequence exemplified or suggested herein. Any number listed above can be used to define the upper and lower limits. For example, a Class A protein can be defined as having 50-90% identity with a given TcdA protein. Thus, a TcdA-like protein (and/or a tcdA-like gene) can be defined by any numerical identity score provided or suggested herein, as compared to any previously known TcdA protein, including any TcdA protein (and likewise with XptA2 proteins) specifically exemplified herein. The same is true for any other protein or gene, to be used according to the subject invention, such as TcaC-, TcaA-, TcaB-, TcdB-, TccC-, and XptB2-like proteins and genes. Thus, this applies to potentiators (such as TcdB2 and TccC3) and stand-alone toxins.

[0198] Unless otherwise specified, as used herein, percent sequence identity and/or similarity of two nucleic acids is determined using the algorithm of Karlin and Altschul (1990), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:2264-2268, modified as in Karlin and Altschul (1993), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-5877. Such an algorithm is incorporated into the NBLAST and XBLAST programs of Altschul et al. (1990), J. Mol. Biol. 215:402-410. BLAST nucleotide searches are performed with the NBLAST program, score=100, wordlength=12. Gapped BLAST can be used as described in Altschul et al. (1997), Nucl. Acids Res. 25:3389-3402. When utilizing BLAST and Gapped BLAST programs, the default parameters of the respective programs (NBLAST and XBLAST) are used. See NCBI/NIH website. The scores can also be calculated using the methods and algorithms of Crickmore et al. as described in the Background section, above. To obtain gapped alignments for comparison purposes, the AlignX function of Vector NTI Suite 8 (InforMax, Inc., North Bethesda, Md., U.S.A.), was used employing the default parameters. These were: a Gap opening penalty of 15, a Gap extension penalty of 6.66, and a Gap separation penalty range of 8.

[0199] The amino acid homology/similarity/identity will be highest in critical regions of the protein that account for its toxin activity or that are involved in the determination of three-dimensional configurations that are ultimately responsible for the toxin activity. In this regard, certain amino acid substitutions are acceptable and can be expected to be tolerated. For example, these substitutions can be in regions of the protein that are not critical to activity. Analyzing the crystal structure of a protein, and software-based protein structure modeling, can be used to identify regions of a protein that can be modified (using site-directed mutagenesis, shuffling, etc.) to actually change the properties and/or increase the functionality of the protein.

[0200] Various properties and three-dimensional features of the protein can also be changed without adversely affecting the toxin activity/functionality of the protein. Conservative amino acid substitutions can be expected to be tolerated/to not adversely affect the three-dimensional configuration of the molecule. Amino acids can be placed in the following classes: non-polar, uncharged polar, basic, and acidic. Conservative substitutions whereby an amino acid of one class is replaced with another amino acid of the same type fall within the scope of the subject invention so long as the substitution is not adverse to the biological activity of the compound. Table 1 provides a listing of examples of amino acids belonging to each class. 10

[0201] In some instances, non-conservative substitutions can also be made. The critical factor is that these substitutions must not significantly detract from the functional/biological/toxin activity of the protein.

[0202] As used herein, reference to “isolated” polynucleotides and/or “purified” toxins refers to these molecules when they are not associated with the other molecules with which they would be found in nature. Thus, reference to “isolated” and/or “purified” signifies the involvement of the “hand of man” as described herein. For example, a bacterial toxin “gene” of the subject invention put into a plant for expression is an “isolated polynucleotide.” Likewise, a Paenibacillus protein, exemplified herein, produced by a plant is an “isolated protein.”

[0203] Because of the degeneracy/redundancy of the genetic code, a variety of different DNA sequences can encode the amino acid sequences disclosed herein. It is well within the skill of a person trained in the art to create alternative DNA sequences that encode the same, or essentially the same, toxins. These variant DNA sequences are within the scope of the subject invention.

[0204] Optimization of sequence for expression in plants. To obtain high expression of heterologous genes in plants it may be preferred to reengineer said genes so that they are more efficiently expressed in (the cytoplasm of) plant cells. Maize is one such plant where it may be preferred to re-design the heterologous gene(s) prior to transformation to increase the expression level thereof in said plant. Therefore, an additional step in the design of genes encoding a bacterial toxin is reengineering of a heterologous gene for optimal expression.

[0205] One reason for the reengineering of a bacterial toxin for expression in maize is due to the non-optimal G+C content of the native gene. For example, the very low G+C content of many native bacterial gene(s) (and consequent skewing towards high A+T content) results in the generation of sequences mimicking or duplicating plant gene control sequences that are known to be highly A+T rich. The presence of some A+T-rich sequences within the DNA of gene(s) introduced into plants (e.g., TATA box regions normally found in gene promoters) may result in aberrant transcription of the gene(s). On the other hand, the presence of other regulatory sequences residing in the transcribed mRNA (e.g., polyadenylation signal sequences (AAUAAA), or sequences complementary to small nuclear RNAs involved in pre-mRNA splicing) may lead to RNA instability. Therefore, one goal in the design of genes encoding a bacterial toxin for maize expression, more preferably referred to as plant optimized gene(s), is to generate a DNA sequence having a higher G+C content, and preferably one close to that of maize genes coding for metabolic enzymes. Another goal in the design of the plant optimized gene(s) encoding a bacterial toxin is to generate a DNA sequence in which the sequence modifications do not hinder translation.

[0206] The table below (Table 2) illustrates how high the G+C content is in maize. For the data in Table 2, coding regions of the genes were extracted from GenBank (Release 71) entries, and base compositions were calculated using the MacVectorm program (Accelerys, San Diego, Calif.). Intron sequences were ignored in the calculations.

[0207] Due to the plasticity afforded by the redundancy/degeneracy of the genetic code (i.e., some amino acids are specified by more than one codon), evolution of the genomes in different organisms or classes of organisms has resulted in differential usage of redundant codons. This “codon bias” is reflected in the mean base composition of protein coding regions. For example, organisms with relatively low G+C contents utilize codons having A or T in the third position of redundant codons, whereas those having higher G+C contents utilize codons having G or C in the third position. It is thought that the presence of “minor” codons within an mRNA may reduce the absolute translation rate of that mRNA, especially when the relative abundance of the charged tRNA corresponding to the minor codon is low. An extension of this is that the diminution of translation rate by individual minor codons would be at least additive for multiple minor codons. Therefore, mRNAs having high relative contents of minor codons would have correspondingly low translation rates. This rate would be reflected by subsequent low levels of the encoded protein.

[0208] In engineering genes encoding a bacterial toxin for maize (or other plant, such as cotton or soybean) expression, the codon bias of the plant has been determined. The codon bias for maize is the statistical codon distribution that the plant uses for coding its proteins and the preferred codon usage is shown in Table 3. After determining the bias, the percent frequency of the codons in the gene(s) of interest is determined. The primary codons preferred by the plant should be determined, as well as the second, third, and fourth choices of preferred codons when multiple choices exist. A new DNA sequence can then be designed which encodes the amino sequence of the bacterial toxin, but the new DNA sequence differs from the native bacterial DNA sequence (encoding the toxin) by the substitution of the plant (first preferred, second preferred, third preferred, or fourth preferred) codons to specify the amino acid at each position within the toxin amino acid sequence. The new sequence is then analyzed for restriction enzyme sites that might have been created by the modification. The identified sites are further modified by replacing the codons with first, second, third, or fourth choice preferred codons. Other sites in the sequence which could affect transcription or translation of the gene of interest are the exon:intron junctions (5′ or 3′), poly A addition signals, or RNA polymerase termination signals. The sequence is further analyzed and modified to reduce the frequency of TA or GC doublets. In addition to the doublets, G or C sequence blocks that have more than about four residues that are the same can affect transcription of the sequence. Therefore, these blocks are also modified by replacing the codons of first or second choice, etc. with the next preferred codon of choice. 11

[0209] It is preferred that the plant optimized gene(s) encoding a bacterial toxin contain about 63% of first choice codons, between about 22% to about 37% second choice codons, and between about 15% to about 0% third or fourth choice codons, wherein the total percentage is 100%. Most preferred the plant optimized gene(s) contains about 63% of first choice codons, at least about 22% second choice codons, about 7.5% third choice codons, and about 7.5% fourth choice codons, wherein the total percentage is 100%. The preferred codon usage for engineering genes for maize expression are shown in Table 3. The method described above enables one skilled in the art to modify gene(s) that are foreign to a particular plant so that the genes are optimally expressed in plants. The method is further illustrated in PCT application WO 97/13402.

[0210] In order to design plant optimized genes encoding a bacterial toxin, a DNA sequence is designed to encode the amino acid sequence of said protein toxin utilizing a redundant genetic code established from a codon bias table compiled for the gene sequences for the particular plant, as shown in Table 2. The resulting DNA sequence has a higher degree of codon diversity, a desirable base composition, can contain strategically placed restriction enzyme recognition sites, and lacks sequences that might interfere with transcription of the gene, or translation of the product mRNA. 12

[0211] Thus, synthetic genes that are functionally equivalent to the toxins/genes of the subject invention can be used to transform hosts, including plants. Additional guidance regarding the production of synthetic genes can be found in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,831.

[0212] Transgenic hosts. The toxin-encoding genes of the subject invention can be introduced into a wide variety of microbial or plant hosts. In preferred embodiments, transgenic plant cells and plants are used. Preferred plants (and plant cells) are corn, maize, and cotton.

[0213] In preferred embodiments, expression of the toxin gene results, directly or indirectly, in the intracellular production (and maintenance) of the pesticide proteins. Plants can be rendered insect-resistant in this manner. When transgenic/recombinant/transformed/transfected host cells (or contents thereof) are ingested by the pests, the pests will ingest the toxin. This is the preferred manner in which to cause contact of the pest with the toxin. The result is control (killing or making sick) of the pest. Sucking pests can also be controlled in a similar manner. Alternatively, suitable microbial hosts, e.g., Pseudomonas such as P. fluorescens, can be applied where target pests are present; the microbes can proliferate there, and are ingested by the target pests. The microbe hosting the toxin gene can be treated under conditions that prolong the activity of the toxin and stabilize the cell. The treated cell, which retains the toxic activity, can then be applied to the environment of the target pest.

[0214] Where the toxin gene is introduced via a suitable vector into a microbial host, and said host is applied to the environment in a living state, certain host microbes should be used. Microorganism hosts are selected which are known to occupy the “phytosphere” (phylloplane, phyllosphere, rhizosphere, and/or rhizoplane) of one or more crops of interest. These microorganisms are selected so as to be capable of successfully competing in the particular environment (crop and other insect habitats) with the wild-type microorganisms, provide for stable maintenance and expression of the gene expressing the polypeptide pesticide, and, desirably, provide for improved protection of the pesticide from environmental degradation and inactivation.

[0215] A large number of microorganisms are known to inhabit the phylloplane (the surface of the plant leaves) and/or the rhizosphere (the soil surrounding plant roots) of a wide variety of important crops. These microorganisms include bacteria, algae, and fungi. Of particular interest are microorganisms, such as bacteria, e.g., genera Pseudomonas, Erwinia, Serratia, Klebsiella, Xanthomonas, Streptomyces, Rhizobium, Rhodopseudomonas, Methylophilius, Agrobacterium, Acetobacter, Lactobacillus, Arthrobacter, Azotobacter, Leuconostoc, and Alcaligenes; fungi, particularly yeast, e.g., genera Saccharomyces, Cryptococcus, Kluyveromyces, Sporobolomyces, Rhodotorula, and Aureobasidium. Of particular interest are such phytosphere bacterial species as Pseudomonas syringae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Serratia marcescens, Acetobacter xylinum, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Rhodopseudomonas spheroides, Xanthomonas campestris, Rhizobium melioti, Alcaligenes entrophus, and Azotobacter vinlandii; and phytosphere yeast species such as Rhodotorula rubra, R. glutinis, R. marina, R. aurantiaca, Cryptococcus albidus, C. diffluens, C. laurentii, Saccharomyces rosei, S. pretoriensis, S. cerevisiae, Sporobolomyces roseus, S. odorus, Kluyveromyces veronae, and Aureobasidium pollulans. Also of interest are pigmented microorganisms.

[0216] Insertion of genes to form transgenic hosts. One aspect of the subject invention is the transformation/transfection of plants, plant cells, and other host cells with polynucleotides of the subject invention that express proteins of the subject invention. Plants transformed in this manner can be rendered resistant to attack by the target pest(s).

[0217] A wide variety of methods are available for introducing a gene encoding a pesticidal protein into the target host under conditions that allow for stable maintenance and expression of the gene. These methods are well known to those skilled in the art and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,867.

[0218] For example, a large number of cloning vectors comprising a replication system in E. coli and a marker that permits selection of the transformed cells are available for preparation for the insertion of foreign genes into higher plants. The vectors comprise, for example, pBR322, pUC series, M13mp series, pACYC184, etc. Accordingly, the sequence encoding the toxin can be inserted into the vector at a suitable restriction site. The resulting plasmid is used for transformation into E. coli. The E. coli cells are cultivated in a suitable nutrient medium, then harvested and lysed. The plasmid is recovered. Sequence analysis, restriction analysis, electrophoresis, and other biochemical-molecular biological methods are generally carried out as methods of analysis. After each manipulation, the DNA sequence used can be cleaved and joined to the next DNA sequence. Each plasmid sequence can be cloned in the same or other plasmids. Depending on the method of inserting desired genes into the plant, other DNA sequences may be necessary. If, for example, the Ti or Ri plasmid is used for the transformation of the plant cell, then at least the right border, but often the right and the left border of the Ti or Ri plasmid T-DNA, has to be joined as the flanking region of the genes to be inserted. The use of T-DNA for the transformation of plant cells has been intensively researched and described in EP 120 516; Hoekema (1985) In: The Binary Plant Vector System, Offset-durkkerij Kanters B. V., Alblasserdam, Chapter 5; Fraley et al., Crit. Rev. Plant Sci. 4:1-46; and An et al. (1985) EMBO J. 4:277-287.

[0219] A large number of techniques are available for inserting DNA into a plant host cell. Those techniques include transformation with T-DNA using Agrobacterium tumefaciens or Agrobacterium rhizogenes as transformation agent, fusion, injection, biolistics (microparticle bombardment), or electroporation as well as other possible methods. If Agrobacteria are used for the transformation, the DNA to be inserted has to be cloned into special plasmids, namely either into an intermediate vector or into a binary vector. The intermediate vectors can be integrated into the Ti or Ri plasmid by homologous recombination owing to sequences that are homologous to sequences in the T-DNA. The Ti or Ri plasmid also comprises the vir region necessary for the transfer of the T-DNA. Intermediate vectors cannot replicate themselves in Agrobacteria. The intermediate vector can be transferred into Agrobacterium tumefaciens by means of a helper plasmid (conjugation). Binary vectors can replicate themselves both in E. coli and in Agrobacteria. They comprise a selection marker gene and a linker or polylinker which are framed by the right and left T-DNA border regions. They can be transformed directly into Agrobacteria (Holsters et al. [1978] Mol. Gen. Genet. 163:181-187). The Agrobacterium used as host cell is to comprise a plasmid carrying a vir region. The vir region is necessary for the transfer of the T-DNA into the plant cell. Additional T-DNA may be contained. The bacterium so transformed is used for the transformation of plant cells. Plant explants can advantageously be cultivated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens or Agrobacterium rhizogenes for the transfer of the DNA into the plant cell. Whole plants can then be regenerated from the infected plant material (for example, pieces of leaf, segments of stalk, roots, but also protoplasts or suspension-cultivated cells) in a suitable medium, which may contain antibiotics or biocides for selection. The plants so obtained can then be tested for the presence of the inserted DNA. No special demands are made of the plasmids in the case of injection and electroporation. It is possible to use ordinary plasmids, such as, for example, pUC derivatives.

[0220] The transformed cells grow inside the plants in the usual manner. They can form germ cells and transmit the transformed trait(s) to progeny plants. Such plants can be grown in the normal manner and crossed with plants that have the same transformed hereditary factors or other hereditary factors. The resulting hybrid individuals have the corresponding phenotypic properties.

[0221] In some preferred embodiments of the invention, genes encoding the bacterial toxin are expressed from transcriptional units inserted into the plant genome. Preferably, said transcriptional units are recombinant vectors capable of stable integration into the plant genome and enable selection of transformed plant lines expressing mRNA encoding the proteins.

[0222] Once the inserted DNA has been integrated in the genome, it is relatively stable there (and does not come out again). It normally contains a selection marker that confers on the transformed plant cells resistance to a biocide or an antibiotic, such as kanamycin, G418, bleomycin, hygromycin, or chloramphenicol, inter alia. The individually employed marker should accordingly permit the selection of transformed cells rather than cells that do not contain the inserted DNA. The gene(s) of interest are preferably expressed either by constitutive or inducible promoters in the plant cell. Once expressed, the mRNA is translated into proteins, thereby incorporating amino acids of interest into protein. The genes encoding a toxin expressed in the plant cells can be under the control of a constitutive promoter, a tissue-specific promoter, or an inducible promoter.

[0223] Several techniques exist for introducing foreign recombinant vectors into plant cells, and for obtaining plants that stably maintain and express the introduced gene. Such techniques include the introduction of genetic material coated onto microparticles directly into cells (U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,050 to Cornell and U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,131 to DowElanco, now Dow AgroSciences, LLC). In addition, plants may be transformed using Agrobacterium technology, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,010 to University of Toledo; U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,310 to Texas A&M European Patent Application 0131 624B1; European Patent Applications 120516, 159418B1 and 176,112 to Schilperoot; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,149,645, 5,469,976, 5,464,763 and 4,940,838 and 4,693,976 to Schilperoot; European Patent Applications 116718, 290799, 320500 all to Max Planck; European Patent Applications 604662 and 627752, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,616, to Japan Tobacco; European Patent Applications 0267159 and 0292435, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,019, all to Ciba Geigy, now Novartis; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,463,174 and 4,762,785, both to Calgene; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,004,863 and 5,159,135, both to Agracetus. Other transformation technology includes whiskers technology. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,302,523 and 5,464,765, both to Zeneca. Electroporation technology has also been used to transform plants. See WO 87/06614 to Boyce Thompson Institute; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,472,869 and 5,384,253, both to Dekalb; and WO 92/09696 and WO 93/21335, both to Plant Genetic Systems. Furthermore, viral vectors can also be used to produce transgenic plants expressing the protein of interest. For example, monocotyledonous plant can be transformed with a viral vector using the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,597 to Mycogen Plant Science and Ciba-Giegy, now Novartis, as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,589,367 and 5,316,931, both to Biosource.

[0224] As mentioned previously, the manner in which the DNA construct is introduced into the plant host is not critical to this invention. Any method which provides for efficient transformation may be employed. For example, various methods for plant cell transformation are described herein and include the use of Ti or Ri-plasmids and the like to perform Agrobacterium mediated transformation. In many instances, it will be desirable to have the construct used for transformation bordered on one or both sides by T-DNA borders, more specifically the right border. This is particularly useful when the construct uses Agrobacterium tumefaciens or Agrobacterium rhizogenes as a mode for transformation, although T-DNA borders may find use with other modes of transformation. Where Agrobacterium is used for plant cell transformation, a vector may be used which may be introduced into the host for homologous recombination with T-DNA or the Ti or Ri plasmid present in the host. Introduction of the vector may be performed via electroporation, tri-parental mating and other techniques for transforming gram-negative bacteria which are known to those skilled in the art. The manner of vector transformation into the Agrobacterium host is not critical to this invention. The Ti or Ri plasmid containing the T-DNA for recombination may be capable or incapable of causing gall formation, and is not critical to said invention so long as the vir genes are present in said host.

[0225] In some cases where Agrobacterium is used for transformation, the expression construct being within the T-DNA borders will be inserted into a broad spectrum vector such as pRK2 or derivatives thereof as described in Ditta et al., (PNAS USA (1980) 77:7347-7351 and EPO 0 120 515, which are incorporated herein by reference. Included within the expression construct and the T-DNA will be one or more markers as described herein which allow for selection of transformed Agrobacterium and transformed plant cells. The particular marker employed is not essential to this invention, with the preferred marker depending on the host and construction used.

[0226] For transformation of plant cells using Agrobacterium, explants may be combined and incubated with the transformed Agrobacterium for sufficient time to allow transformation thereof. After transformation, the Agrobacteria are killed by selection with the appropriate antibiotic and plant cells are cultured with the appropriate selective medium. Once calli are formed, shoot formation can be encouraged by employing the appropriate plant hormones according to methods well known in the art of plant tissue culturing and plant regeneration. However, a callus intermediate stage is not always necessary. After shoot formation, said plant cells can be transferred to medium which encourages root formation thereby completing plant regeneration. The plants may then be grown to seed and said seed can be used to establish future generations. Regardless of transformation technique, the gene encoding a bacterial toxin is preferably incorporated into a gene transfer vector adapted to express said gene in a plant cell by including in the vector a plant promoter regulatory element, as well as 3′ non-translated transcriptional termination regions such as Nos and the like.

[0227] In addition to numerous technologies for transforming plants, the type of tissue which is contacted with the foreign genes may vary as well. Such tissue would include but would not be limited to embryogenic tissue, callus tissue types I, II, and III, hypocotyl, meristem, root tissue, tissues for expression in phloem, and the like. Almost all plant tissues may be transformed during dedifferentiation using appropriate techniques described herein.

[0228] As mentioned above, a variety of selectable markers can be used, if desired. Preference for a particular marker is at the discretion of the artisan, but any of the following selectable markers may be used along with any other gene not listed herein which could function as a selectable marker. Such selectable markers include but are not limited to aminoglycoside phosphotransferase gene of transposon Tn5 (Aph II) which encodes resistance to the antibiotics kanamycin, neomycin and G418, as well as those genes which encode for resistance or tolerance to glyphosate; hygromycin; methotrexate; phosphinothricin (bialaphos); imidazolinones, sulfonylureas and triazolopyrimidine herbicides, such as chlorsulfuron; bromoxynil, dalapon and the like.

[0229] In addition to a selectable marker, it may be desirous to use a reporter gene. In some instances a reporter gene may be used with or without a selectable marker. Reporter genes are genes which are typically not present in the recipient organism or tissue and typically encode for proteins resulting in some phenotypic change or enzymatic property. Examples of such genes are provided in K. Wising et al. Ann. Rev. Genetics, 22, 421 (1988). Preferred reporter genes include the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) of the uidA locus of E. coli, the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene from Tn9 of E. coli, the green fluorescent protein from the bioluminescent jellyfish Aequorea victoria, and the luciferase genes from firefly Photinus pyralis. An assay for detecting reporter gene expression may then be performed at a suitable time after said gene has been introduced into recipient cells. A preferred such assay entails the use of the gene encoding beta-glucuronidase (GUS) of the uidA locus of E. coli as described by Jefferson et al., (1987 Biochem. Soc. Trans. 15, 17-19) to identify transformed cells.

[0230] In addition to plant promoter regulatory elements, promoter regulatory elements from a variety of sources can be used efficiently in plant cells to express foreign genes. For example, promoter regulatory elements of bacterial origin, such as the octopine synthase promoter, the nopaline synthase promoter, the mannopine synthase promoter; promoters of viral origin, such as the cauliflower mosaic virus (35S and 19S), 35T (which is a re-engineered 35S promoter, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,166,302, especially Example 7E) and the like may be used. Plant promoter regulatory elements include but are not limited to ribulose-1,6-bisphosphate (RUBP) carboxylase small subunit (ssu), beta-conglycinin promoter, beta-phaseolin promoter, ADH promoter, heat-shock promoters, and tissue specific promoters. Other elements such as matrix attachment regions, scaffold attachment regions, introns, enhancers, polyadenylation sequences and the like may be present and thus may improve the transcription efficiency or DNA integration. Such elements may or may not be necessary for DNA function, although they can provide better expression or functioning of the DNA by affecting transcription, mRNA stability, and the like. Such elements may be included in the DNA as desired to obtain optimal performance of the transformed DNA in the plant. Typical elements include but are not limited to Adh-intron 1, Adh-intron 6, the alfalfa mosaic virus coat protein leader sequence, the maize streak virus coat protein leader sequence, as well as others available to a skilled artisan. Constitutive promoter regulatory elements may also be used thereby directing continuous gene expression in all cells types and at all times (e.g., actin, ubiquitin, CaMV 35S, and the like). Tissue specific promoter regulatory elements are responsible for gene expression in specific cell or tissue types, such as the leaves or seeds (e.g., zein, oleosin, napin, ACP, globulin and the like) and these may also be used.

[0231] Promoter regulatory elements may also be active during a certain stage of the plant's development as well as active in plant tissues and organs. Examples of such include but are not limited to pollen-specific, embryo-specific, corn-silk-specific, cotton-fiber-specific, root-specific, seed-endosperm-specific promoter regulatory elements and the like. Under certain circumstances it may be desirable to use an inducible promoter regulatory element, which is responsible for expression of genes in response to a specific signal, such as: physical stimulus (heat shock genes), light (RUBP carboxylase), hormone (Em), metabolites, chemical, and stress. Other desirable transcription and translation elements that function in plants may be used. Numerous plant-specific gene transfer vectors are known in the art.

[0232] Standard molecular biology techniques may be used to clone and sequence the toxins described herein. Additional information may be found in Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F., and Maniatis, T. (1989), Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0233] Resistance Management. With increasing commercial use of insecticidal proteins in transgenic plants, one consideration is resistance management. That is, there are numerous companies using Bacillus thuringiensis toxins in their products, and there is concern about insects developing resistance to B.t. toxins. One strategy for insect resistance management would be to combine the TC toxins produced by Xenorhabdus, Photorhabdus, and the like with toxins such as B.t. crystal toxins, soluble insecticidal proteins from Bacillus stains (see, e.g., WO 98/18932 and WO 99/57282), or other insect toxins. The combinations could be formulated for a sprayable application or could be molecular combinations. Plants could be transformed with bacterial genes that produce two or more different insect toxins (see, e.g., Gould, 38 Bioscience 26-33 (1988) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,365; likewise, European Patent Application 0 400 246 A1 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,866,784; 5,908,970; and 6,172,281 also describe transformation of a plant with two B.t. crystal toxins). Another method of producing a transgenic plant that contains more than one insect resistant gene would be to first produce two plants, with each plant containing an insect resistance gene. These plants could then be crossed using traditional plant breeding techniques to produce a plant containing more than one insect resistance gene. Thus, it should be apparent that the phrase “comprising a polynucleotide” as used herein means at least one polynucleotide (and possibly more, contiguous or not) unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0234] Formulations and Other Delivery Systems. Formulated bait granules containing cells and/or proteins of the subject invention (including recombinant microbes comprising the genes described herein) can be applied to the soil. Formulated product can also be applied as a seed-coating or root treatment or total plant treatment at later stages of the crop cycle. Plant and soil treatments of cells may be employed as wettable powders, granules or dusts, by mixing with various inert materials, such as inorganic minerals (phyllosilicates, carbonates, sulfates, phosphates, and the like) or botanical materials (powdered corncobs, rice hulls, walnut shells, and the like). The formulations may include spreader-sticker adjuvants, stabilizing agents, other pesticidal additives, or surfactants. Liquid formulations may be aqueous-based or non-aqueous and employed as foams, gels, suspensions, emulsifiable concentrates, or the like. The ingredients may include rheological agents, surfactants, emulsifiers, dispersants, or polymers.

[0235] As would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the pesticidal concentration will vary widely depending upon the nature of the particular formulation, particularly whether it is a concentrate or to be used directly. The pesticide will be present in at least 1% by weight and may be 100% by weight. The dry formulations will have from about 1-95% by weight of the pesticide while the liquid formulations will generally be from about 1-60% by weight of the solids in the liquid phase. The formulations will generally have from about 10² to about 10⁴ cells/mg. These formulations will be administered at about 50 mg (liquid or dry) to 1 kg or more per hectare.

[0236] The formulations can be applied to the environment of the pest, e.g., soil and foliage, by spraying, dusting, sprinkling, or the like.

[0237] Another delivery scheme is the incorporation of the genetic material of toxins into a baculovirus vector. Baculoviruses infect particular insect hosts, including those desirably targeted with the toxins. Infectious baculovirus harboring an expression construct for the toxins could be introduced into areas of insect infestation to thereby intoxicate or poison infected insects.

[0238] Insect viruses, or baculoviruses, are known to infect and adversely affect certain insects. The effect of the viruses on insects is slow, and viruses do not immediately stop the feeding of insects. Thus, viruses are not viewed as being optimal as insect pest control agents. However, combining the toxin genes into a baculovirus vector could provide an efficient way of transmitting the toxins. In addition, since different baculoviruses are specific to different insects, it may be possible to use a particular toxin to selectively target particularly damaging insect pests. A particularly useful vector for the toxins genes is the nuclear polyhedrosis virus. Transfer vectors using this virus have been described and are now the vectors of choice for transferring foreign genes into insects. The virus-toxin gene recombinant may be constructed in an orally transmissible form. Baculoviruses normally infect insect victims through the mid-gut intestinal mucosa. The toxin gene inserted behind a strong viral coat protein promoter would be expressed and should rapidly kill the infected insect.

[0239] In addition to an insect virus or baculovirus or transgenic plant delivery system for the protein toxins of the present invention, the proteins may be encapsulated using Bacillus thuringiensis encapsulation technology such as but not limited to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,695,455; 4,695,462; 4,861,595 which are all incorporated herein by reference. Another delivery system for the protein toxins of the present invention is formulation of the protein into a bait matrix, which could then be used in above and below ground insect bait stations. Examples of such technology include but are not limited to PCT Patent Application WO 93/23998, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0240] Plant RNA viral based systems can also be used to express bacterial toxin. In so doing, the gene encoding a toxin can be inserted into the coat promoter region of a suitable plant virus which will infect the host plant of interest. The toxin can then be expressed thus providing protection of the plant from insect damage. Plant RNA viral based systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,360 to Mycogen Plant Sciences, Inc. and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,316,931 and 5,589,367 to Biosource Genetics Corp.

[0241] In addition to producing a transformed plant, there are other delivery systems where it may be desirable to engineer the bacterial gene(s). For example, a protein toxin can be constructed by fusing together a molecule attractive to insects as a food source with a toxin. After purification in the laboratory such a toxic agent with “built-in” bait could be packaged inside standard insect trap housings.

[0242] Mutants. Mutants of bacterial isolates can be made by procedures that are well known in the art. For example, asporogenous mutants can be obtained through ethylmethane sulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis of an isolate. The mutants can be made using ultraviolet light and nitrosoguanidine by procedures well known in the art.

[0243] All patents, patent applications, provisional applications, and publications referred to or cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent they are not inconsistent with the explicit teachings of this specification.

[0244] Following are examples that illustrate procedures for practicing the invention. These examples should not be construed as limiting. All percentages are by weight and all solvent mixture proportions are by volume unless otherwise noted.

EXAMPLE 1

TC Proteins and Genes Obtainable from Xenorhabdus strain Xwi

[0245] It was shown previously (U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,838) that Xenorhabdus nematophilus strain Xwi (NRRL B-21733, deposited on Apr. 29, 1997) produced extracellular proteins with oral insecticidal activity against members of the insect orders Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, and Acarina. Full-length gene and TC protein sequence from strain Xwi are disclosed below. The methods used to obtain them are more fully discussed in concurrently filed U.S. provisional application by Bintrim et al. (Serial No. 60/441,717), entitled “Xenorhabdus TC Proteins and Genes for Pest Control.” These sequences, including N-terminal and internal peptide sequences (SEQ ID NOs:1-5) are also summarized above in the Brief Description of the Sequences section.

[0246] In summary, a 39,005 bp fragment of genomic DNA was obtained from strain Xwi and was cloned as cosmid pDAB2097. The sequence of the cosmid insert (SEQ ID NO. 6) was analyzed using the Vector NTI™ Suite (Informax, Inc. North Bethesda, Md., USA) to identify encoded ORFs (Open Reading Frames). Six full length ORFs and one partial ORF were identified (FIG. 1 and Table 4). 13

[0247] The nucleotide sequences of the identified ORFs and the deduced amino acid sequences encoded by these ORFs were used to search the databases at the National Center for Biotechnology Information by using BLASTn, BLASTp, and BLASTx, via the government (“.gov”) website of ncbi/nih for BLAST. These analyses showed that the ORFs identified in the pDAB2097 insert had significant amino acid sequence identity to genes previously identified in Photorhabdus luminescens and Xenorhabdus nematophilus (Table 5). It is noteworthy that the xpt gene sequences presented in GenBank accession number AJ308438 were obtained from a recombinant cosmid that expressed oral insecticidal activity. 14

[0248] Since ORF2, ORF4, ORF5, ORF6, and ORF7 were shown to have at least 95% amino acid sequence identity to previously identified genes, the same gene nomenclature was adopted for further studies on the ORFs identified in the pDAB2097 insert sequence (Table 6).

[0249] As used throughout this application, XptA2, for example, signifies a protein and xptA2, for example, signifies a gene. Furthermore, the source isolate for the gene and protein is indicated with subscript. An illustration of this appears in Table 6. 15

EXAMPLE 2

Heterologzus Expression of Toxin Complex Genes from Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus

[0250] A series of experiments was done in which Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus genes were expressed in E. coli. It is shown that co-expression of either the tcdA or xptA2 genes with specific combinations of the tcdB1, tccC1, xptB1 and xptC1 genes, results in significant activity in bioassay against sensitive insects. It is also demonstrated here that expression of the Photorhabdus genes tcdA and tcdB with the Xenorhabdus gene xptB1 results in significant activity against Southern corn rootworm (Diabrotica undecinipunctata howardii). Likewise, expression of Xenorhabdus xptA2 with Photorhabdus tcdB1 and tccC1 produces activity against corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea).

[0251] Two E. coli expression systems were employed for testing Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus genes. The first relied on an E. coli promoter present in the expression vector pBT-TcdA (FIG. 2). Several plasmids were constructed in which polycistronic arrangements of up to three genes were constructed. Each gene contained a separate ribosome binding site and start codon, a coding sequence and a stop codon. The second system was mediated by the strong T7 phage promoter and T7 RNA polymerase (FIG. 3, pET; FIG. 4, pCot). Similarly, in some constructions polycistronic arrangements of coding sequences were used. In other experiments, compatible plasmids were used for co-expression. Schematic diagrams describing all of the constructions used in the experiments are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0252] Construction of pBT-TcdA. The expression plasmid pBT-TcdA is composed of the replication and antibiotic selection components of plasmid pBC KS+ (Stratagene) and the expression components (i.e. a strong E. coli promoter, lac operon repressor and operator, upstream of a multiple cloning site) from plasmid pTrc99a (Amersham Biosciences Corp., Piscataway, N.J.). An Nco I site was removed from the chloramphenicol resistance gene of pBC KS+ using in vitro mutagenesis. The modification did not change the amino acid sequence of the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase protein. As previously described (Example 27 of WO 98/08932, Insecticidal Protein Toxins from Photorhabdus), the TcdA coding sequence (GenBank Accession No. AF188483; reproduced here as SEQ ID NO:21) was modified using PCR to engineer both the 5′ and 3′ ends. This modified coding sequence was subsequently cloned into pTrc99a. Plasmid pBT-TcdA was made by joining the blunted Sph I/Pvu I fragment of pTrc-TcdA with the blunted Asn I/Pvu I fragment of the pBC KS+. The result is plasmid pBT-TcdA (FIGS. 2 and 5).

[0253] Construction of pBT-TcdA-TcdB. The TcdB1 coding sequence (GenBank Accession No. AF346500; reproduced here as SEQ ID NO:22) was amplified from plasmid pBC-AS4 (R. ffrench-Constant University of Wisconsin) using the forward primer: 16

[0254] This primer does not change the protein coding sequence and adds Sal I and Spe I sites in the 5′ non coding region. The reverse primer used was: 17

[0255] Again, no changes were made to the protein coding sequence but an Xho I site was added to the 3′ non coding region. The amplified product was cloned into pCR2.1 (Invitrogen) and the DNA sequence was determined. Two changes from the predicted sequence were noted, a single A deletion in the Spe I site of the forward primer (eliminating the site) and an A-to-T substitution at corresponding amino acid position 1041 that resulted in the conservative substitution of Asp-to-Glu. Neither change was corrected. Plasmid pBT-TcdA was digested with Xho I and Pvu I (cutting at the 3′ end of the TcdA coding sequence). Plasmid pCR2.1-TcdB1was cut with Sal I and Pvu I. The fragments were ligated and pBT-TcdA-TcdB1recombinants (FIG. 5) were isolated. The Xho I and Sal I ends are compatible, but both sites are eliminated upon ligation. The plasmid encodes a polycistronic TcdA-TcdB1 RNA. Each coding region carries separate stop and start codons, and each is preceded by separate ribosome binding sites.

[0256] Construction of pDAB3059. The coding sequence for the TccC1 protein (GenBank Accession No. AAC38630.1; reproduced here as SEQ ID NO:25) was amplified from a pBC KS+ vector (pTccC ch1; from R. ffrench-Constant, the University of Wisconsin) containing the three-gene Tcc operon. The forward primer was: 18

[0257] This primer did not change the coding sequence of the tccC1 gene, but provided 5′ non coding Sal I and Spe I sites as well as a ribosome binding site and ATG initiation codon. The reverse primer was: 19

[0258] This primer also did not alter the tccC1 coding sequence, but provided 3′ Not I and Xho I cloning sites. Following amplification with components of an EPICENTRE FailSafe PCR kit (EPICENTRE; Madison, Wis.) the engineered TccC1 coding sequence was cloned into pCR2.1-TOPO (Invitrogen). The coding sequence was cut from pCR2.1 and transferred to a modified pET vector (Novagen; Madison Wis.) via the 5′ Sal I and 3′ Not I sites. The pET vector contains a gene conferring resistance to spectinomycin/streptomycin, and has a modified multiple cloning site. A PCR-induced mutation found via DNA sequencing was corrected using the pTccC ch1 plasmid DNA as template, and the plasmid containing the corrected coding region was named pDAB3059. Double-stranded DNA sequencing confirmed that the mutation had been corrected.

[0259] Construction of pBT-TcdA-TccC1. Plasmid pBT-TcdA DNA was cut with Xho I, and ligated to pDAB3059 DNA cut with Sal I and Xho I. The tccC1 gene was subsequently ligated downstream of the tcdA gene to create pBT-TcdA-TccC1 (FIG. 5).

[0260] Construction of pBT-TcdA-TcdB1-TccC1. Plasmid pBT-TcdA-TcdB1 DNA was cut with Xho I and ligated to pDAB3059 DNA cut with Sal I and Xho I. Recombinants were screened for insertion of the tccC1 gene behind the tcdB gene to create plasmid pBT-TcdA-TcdB1-TccC1 (FIG. 5).

[0261] Construction of pBT-TcdA-TcdB1-XptB1. Plasmid pBT-TcdA-TcdB1 DNA was cut with Xho I and shotgun ligated with pET280-XptB1DNA which was cut with Sal I and Xho I. Recombinants representing insertion of the xptB1 coding region into the Xho I site of pBT-TcdA-TcdB1 where identified to create plasmid pBT-TcdA-TcdB1-XptB1 (FIG. 5).

[0262] Construction of pET28-TcdA. The description of this plasmid can be found elsewhere as Example 27 of WO 98/08932, Insecticidal Protein Toxins from Photorhabdus.

[0263] Construction of pCot-TcdB1. Plasmid pCR2. 1-TcdB1 was cut with Xho I and Sal I and ligated into the Sal I site of the T7 expression plasmid pCot-3 (FIG. 4). Plasmid pCot-3 has a pACYC origin of replication, making it compatible with plasmids bearing a ColE1 origin (pBR322 derivatives). In addition, it carries a chloramphenicol antibiotic resistance marker gene and a T7 RNA polymerase-specific promoter for expression of coding regions inserted into the multiple cloning site.

[0264] Construction of pCot-TccC1-TcdB1. The TccC1 coding region was cut from pDAB3059 DNA with Spe I and Not I and ligated into the multiple cloning site of plasmid pET280-K (a modified pET28 which has had the multiple cloning site replaced). This resulted in acquisition of a Swa I site upstream of the Spe I site and an Xho I site downstream of the Not I site. DNA of plasmid pET280-K-TccC1 was cut with Swa I and Xho I to release the TccC1 coding sequence, which was then ligated into the Swa I and Sal I sites of plasmid pCot-3-TcdB1 to create plasmid pCot-3-TccC1-TcdB (FIG. 6).

[0265] Construction of pET280-XptA2, pET280-XptC1, and pET280-XptB1. The coding sequences for the XptA2, XptC1, and XptB1 proteins were each PCR amplified from pDAB2097, a recombinant cosmid containing the three genes that encode these proteins. The PCR primer sets used to amplify these coding sequences are listed in Table 7. In all of these primer sets, the forward primer did not change the coding sequence of the gene but provided 5′ non coding Sal I and Xba I sites as well as a ribosome binding site. The reverse primers also did not alter the corresponding coding sequences, but provided a 3′ Xho I cloning site. Following amplification with components of the EPICENTRE Fail Safe PCR kit, the engineered XptA2, XptC1, and XptB1 coding sequences were each cloned into pCR2.1. The cloned amplified products were sequence confirmed to ensure that PCR-induced mutations did not alter the coding sequences. Recombinant plasmids that contained unaltered coding sequences for XptA2, XptC1, and XptB1 were identified and designated as pDAB3056, pDAB3064, and pDAB3055, respectively. The coding sequences were each cut from the pCR2.1 derivatives and transferred to a modified pET vector (pET280-SS is a pET28 derivative which has had the multiple cloning site replaced, and a streptomycin/spectinomycin resistance gene inserted into the backbone to provide a selectable marker [FIG. 3]), via the 5′ Xba I and 3′ Xho I sites to create plasmids pET280-XptA2, pET280-XptC1, and pET280-XptB1. 20

[0266] Construction of pET280-XptA2-XptC1. Plasmid pET280-XptA2 DNA was cut with Xho I and ligated into the unique Sal I site in pDAB3064. The resulting ligated product contained both pCR2.1 and pET280-SS vector backbones and could be recovered by antibiotic selection using a combination of streptomycin (25 μg/mL), spectinomycin (25 μg/mL), and ampicillin (100 μg/mL). DNA of the recovered plasmids was digested with Xho I to check fragment orientation. A plasmid with the XptC1 coding region immediately downstream of the XptA2 coding region was obtained and the DNA was digested with Xho I to remove the pCR2.1 vector backbone. The resulting construct, which contains the pET280-SS vector backbone and the coding sequences for XptA2 and XptC1, was self-ligated to produce pET280-XptA2-XptC1.

[0267] Construction of pET280-XptC1-XptB1. Plasmid pET280-XptC1 DNA was cut with Xho I and ligated into the unique Sal I site in pDAB3055. The resulting ligated product contained both pCR2.1 and pET280-SS vector backbones and could be recovered by antibiotic selection using a combination of streptomycin (25 μg/mL), spectinomycin (25 μg/mL), and ampicillin (100 μg/mL). DNA of the recovered plasmids was digested with Xho I to check fragment orientation. A plasmid with the XptB1 coding region immediately downstream of the XptC1 coding region was obtained and the DNA was digested with Xho I to remove the pCR2.1 vector backbone. The resulting construct, which contains the pET280-SS vector backbone and the coding sequences for XptC1 XptB1, was self-ligated to produce pET280-XptC1-XptB1.

[0268] Construction of pET280-XptA2-XptB1. Plasmid pET280-XptA2 DNA was cut with Xho I and ligated into the unique Sal I site in pDAB3055. The resulting ligated product contained both pCR2.1 and pET280-SS vector backbones and could be recovered by antibiotic selection using a combination of streptomycin (25 μg/mL), spectinomycin (25 μg/mL), and ampicillin (100 μg/mL). DNA of the recovered plasmids was digested with Xho I to check fragment orientation. A plasmid with the XptB1 coding region immediately downstream of the XptA2 coding region was obtained and the DNA was digested with Xho I to remove the pCR2.1 vector backbone. The resulting construct, which contains the pET280-SS vector backbone and the coding sequences for XptA2 and XptB1, was self-ligated to produce pET280-XptA2-XptB1.

[0269] Construction of pET280-XptA2-XptC1-XptB1. Plasmid pET280-XptA2-XptC1 DNA was cut with Xho I and ligated into the unique Sal I site in pDAB3055. The resulting ligated product contained both pCR2.1 and pET280-SS vector backbones and could be recovered by antibiotic selection using a combination of streptomycin (25 μg/mL), spectinomycin (25 μg/mL), and ampicillin (100 μg/mL). The recovered plasmids were digested with Xho I to check fragment orientation. A plasmid with the XptB1 coding region immediately downstream of the XptC1 coding region was obtained and the DNA was digested with Xho I to remove the pCR2.1 vector backbone. The resulting construct, which contains the pET280-SS vector backbone and the XptA2,XptC1, and XptB1 coding sequences, was self-ligated to produce pET280-XptA2-XptC1-XptB1.

[0270] Expression of pBT-based constructions. The pBT expression plasmids were transformed into E. coli strain BL21 cells and plated on LB agar containing 50 μg/mL chloramphenicol and 50 mM glucose, and transformants were grown at 37° C. overnight. Approximately 10-100 well isolated colonies were used to inoculate 200 mL of sterile LB containing 50 μg/mL chloramphenicol plus 75 μM isopropyl-β-D-thiogalatopyranoside (IPTG) in 500 mL baffled flasks. The cultures were shaken at 200 rpm at 28° C. for 24 hours. Cells were collected by centrifugation (approximately 3000×g) and resuspended in phosphate buffer (30 mM, pH 7.4; NutraMax; Gloucester, Mass.) to a cell density of 30-120 OD₆₀₀ units/mL. Diluted cells were then used for insect bioassay.

[0271] Alternatively, the cells were chilled on ice after growth for 24 hours and adjusted to 20-30 OD₆₀₀ units/ml with phosphate buffer. The cells were lysed with a probe sonicator (Soniprep 150, MSE), using 2×45 second bursts at 20 microns amplitude with ⅓ volume 0.1 mm glass beads (Biospec; Bartletsville, Okla.). The lysates were cleared in an Eppendorf microfuge at 14,000 rpm for 10 minutes. Cleared lysates were concentrated in UltraFree 100 kDa units (Millipore; Bedford, Mass.), collected, adjusted to 10 mg/mL in phosphate buffer, and submitted for insect bioassay.

[0272] Expression of T7 Based Constructions. The T7 based expression plasmids were handled the same as the pBT expression plasmids described above, with the exception that they were transformed into the T7 expression strain BL21(DE3) (Novagen, Madison, Wis.), and a combination of streptomycin (25 μg/mL) and spectinomycin (25 μg/mL) was used for the antibiotic selection.

EXAMPLE 3

Insect Bioassay Results of Heterologously Expressed Toxin Complex Genes

[0273] A series of expression experiments was performed using the pBT expression system as described above. E. coli cells were transformed, induced and grown overnight at 28° C. The cells were collected, washed, normalized to equal concentrations and applied to Southern corn rootworm diet and bioassayed. As shown in Table 8, only when all three Photorhabdus genes, tcdA, tcdB1 and tccC1 were expressed in the same cell was significant mortality observed. Other combinations of genes did not result in significant mortality. For example, the specific combination of tcdB1 and tccC1 genes, which showed no insect killing activity, is shown in Table 8. Mortality was observed routinely when the genes on plasmid pBT-TcdA-TcdB1-TccC1 were expressed, and storing the cells at 4° C. for 24 hours before application to insect diet did not decrease or increase mortality significantly in these experiments (Table 8). Southern corn rootworm mortality was also observed if the cells were lysed following co-expression of the genes on plasmid pBT-TcdA-TcdB1-TccC1. Activity did not appear to decrease if the lysate was stored frozen at −70° C. for one week (Table 9). 21

[0274] 22

[0275] In another series of experiments, the Xenorhabdus xptB1 gene was substituted for the Photorhabdus tccC1 gene and expressed as part of the polycistronic operon of plasmid pBT-TcdA-TcdB1-XptB1. These experiments demonstrated that the Xenorhabdus xptB1 gene was able to substitute for the Photorhabdus tccC1 gene, resulting in mortality of Southern corn root worm in bioassay of whole E. coli cells (Table 10). 23

[0276] Expression of the various Photorhabdus genes from separate plasmids also resulted in Southern corn root worm mortality. When tcdA was present on the pET expression plasmid, and the tccC1 and tcdB1 genes were on the compatible expression vector pCot-3, significant activity was observed as compared to control combinations of these plasmids (Table 11). As noted above, the presence of the tcdB1 and tccC1 genes alone did not result in significant activity (Table 11). 24

[0277] Bioassay Results of Heterologously Expressed Xenorhabdus Toxin Complex Genes. A series of expression experiments was performed using the pET expression system as described above. E. coli cells were transformed, induced and grown overnight at 28° C. The cells were collected, washed, normalized to equal concentrations, and tested for insecticidal activity against Ostrinia nubilalis European corn borer (ECB), corn earworm (CEW), and tobacco budworm (TBW). As shown in Table 12, the highest levels of insecticidal activity were observed when xptA2, xptC1, and xptB1 were present in the same construct. 25

[0278] Bioassay results of heterologously expressed xptA2 tcdB1, and tccC1. E. coli cells were co-transformed with the pET280 and pCoT constructs listed in Table 13. Transformants were induced, processed and bioassayed as described above. In these assays, co-transformants that contained either pCOT/pET280-XptA2-XptC1-XptB1 or pCoT-TcdB1-TccC1/pET280-XptA2 plasmid combinations exhibited the highest levels of insecticidal activity. These experiments show that the Photorhabdus tcdB1 and tccC1 genes, even in trans relative to xptA2, were able to substitute for the Xenorhabdus xptC1and xptB1 genes, resulting in qualitatively similar levels of enhanced insecticidal activity. 26

EXAMPLE 4

Complementation of Xenorhabdus XptA2 Toxin with Paenibacillus Strain DAS1529 TC Proteins

[0279] This example provides additional data relating to co-pending U.S. provisional application serial No. 60/392,633, which is discussed in the Background section above. This data is relevant to the present application because it provides experimental evidence of the ability of Paenibacillus strain DAS1529 TC proteins (expressed here as a single operon) to complement, for example, the XptA2 toxin from Xenorhabdus nematophilus Xwi (see SEQ ID NO:34). Two independent experiments were carried out to express the DAS1529 TC operon and XptA2 independently, or to co-express the XptA2 gene and the TC operon in the same E. coli cells. Whole cells expressing different toxins/toxin combinations were tested for activity against two lepidopteran insects: corn earworm (Heliothis zea; CEW) and tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens; TBW). The data from both experiments indicate that DAS1529 TC proteins are able to enhance Xenorhabdus XptA2 activity against both insect species tested.

[0280] A. Co-Expression of DAS1529 TC Proteins and Xenorhabdus TC XptA2 Toxin

[0281] Expression of the DAS1529 TC operon was regulated by T7 promoter/lac operator in the pET101.D expression vector that carries a ColE1 replication origin and an ampicillin resistance selection marker (Invitrogen). A comprehensive description of cloning and expression of the Paenibacillus TC operon can be found in Example 8 of U.S. Serial No. 60/392,633. The XptA2 gene was cloned in the pCot-3 expression vector, which carries a chloramphenicol resistance selection marker and a replication origin compatible with the ColE 1. The pCot-3 vector expression system is also regulated by the T7 promoter/lac operator. Hence, compatible replication origins and different selection markers form the basis for co-expression of the TC operon and XptA2 in the same E. coli cells. Plasmid DNAs carrying the TC operon and XptA2 were transformed into E. coli, BL21 Star™ (DE3) either independently or in combination. Transformants were selected on LB agar plates containing 50 μg/ml carbenicillin for pET101.D-TC operon, 50 μg/ml chloramphenicol for pCot-3-XptA2, and both antibiotics for pET101.D-TC operon/pCot-3-XptA2. To suppress basal toxin expression, glucose at a final concentration of 50 mM was included in both agar and liquid LB medium.

[0282] For toxin production, 5 mL and 50 mL of LB medium containing antibiotics and 50 mM glucose were inoculated with overnight cultures growing on the LB agar plates. Cultures were grown at 30° C. on a shaker at 300 rpm. Once the culture density reached an O.D. of ˜0.4 at 600 nm, IPTG at a final concentration of 75 μM was added to the culture medium to induce gene expression. After 24 hours, E. coli cells were harvested for protein gel analysis by the NuPAGE system (Invitrogen). Cell pellets from 0.5 mL 1× culture broth was resuspended in 100 μL of 1× NuPAGE LDS sample buffer. Following brief sonication and boiling for 5 min, 5 μL of the sample was loaded onto 4 to 12% NuPAGE bis-tris gradient gel for total protein profile analysis. XptA2 expressed to detectable levels when expressed independently or in the presence of the TC operon. Based on gel scan analysis by a Personal Densitometer SI (Molecular Dynamics), XptA2 expressed nearly 8× as high by itself as when co-expressed with the TC operon. For the 5 mL induction experiment, there is a nearly equal expression of XptA2.

[0283] B. Bioassay for Insecticidal Activity

[0284] As described in Example 8 of U.S. Serial No. 60/392,633, DAS1529 TC ORFs, when expressed independently or as an operon, did not appear to be active against TBW and CEW. The following bioassay experiments focused on determining whether Paenibacillus (DAS1529) TC proteins (of ORFs3-6; TcaA-, TcaB-, TcaC-, and TccC-like proteins; see SEQ ID NOs:35-43) could potentiate Xenorhabdus TC protein (XptA2 is exemplified) activity. Bioassay samples were prepared as whole E. coli cells in 4× cell concentrate for the 5 mL induction experiment, both the XptA2 and XptA2/TC operon cells contained very low but nearly equal amount of XptA2. Data in Table 14 showed that at the 4× cell concentration, the combination of the Paenibacillius TC proteins (“TCs” in Table 14) +XptA2 was active against CEW. This demonstrates a complementation effect of Paenibacillus DAS1529 TCs on Xenorhabdus XptA2. 27

[0285] For the second bioassay experiment, the amount of XptA2 protein in the XptA2 cells and the XptA2+TC operon cells was normalized based on densitometer gel scan analysis. As shown in Table 15, XptA2 per se had moderate activity at 40× on TBW (H. virescens), but the activity dropped to a level undetectable at and below 20×. However, when co-expressed with the Paenibacillus TC proteins, high levels of activity were very apparent in the presence of 10× and 5× XptA2, and low activity was still noticeable at 1.25× XptA2. These observations indicate there is a significant potentiation effect of these DAS1529 TC proteins on XptA2 against H. virescens. At the highest doses tested, neither the negative control nor the TC operon per se had any activity against this pest. 28

EXAMPLE 5

Xenorhabdus bovienii B and C Protein Mixed Complementation

EXAMPLE 5A

Overview

[0286] The identification and isolation of genes encoding factors that potentiate or synergize the activity of the insect active proteins Photorhabdus TcdA and Xenorhabdus XptA2_wi were accomplished using a cosmid complementation screen. Individual Escherichia coli clones from a cosmid genomic library of Xenorhabdus bovienii (strain ILM104) were used to create crude cell extracts which were mixed with purified toxins and bioassayed. Lysates were assayed with purified Photorhabdus toxin TcdA against southern corn rootworm larvae (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi). Likewise, lysates were also mixed with purified Xenorhabdus XptA2_wi protein and assayed against tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens) or corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) larvae. Cosmid lysates were scored as positive if the combination of lysate plus purified toxin had activity greater than either component alone.

[0287] The primary screen samples (in 96-well format) were tested in duplicate and scored compared to controls for insecticidal activity. Positive samples were re-grown and tested in the secondary screen. Cosmids identified as positive through primary and secondary screens were screened a third time. Larger culture volumes were utilized for tertiary screens (see below), tested for biological activity in a 128-well format bioassay.

[0288] DNA from one of the cosmids identified as having potentiating activity in this screen was subcloned. The DNA sequence of a single subclone which retained activity was determined and shown to contain two open reading frames, designated xptB1_xb and XptC1_xb. These coding regions were subcloned into pET plasmids and expressed in E. coli. A dramatic increase in insect activity was seen when either TcdA or XptA2_wi protein was mixed with lysates co-expressing both XptB1_xb and XptC1_xb. Lysates containing only XptB1_xb or only XptC1_xb had minimal affects when mixed with purified TcdA or XptA2_wi.

EXAMPLE 5B

Insect Bioassay Methodology

[0289] Insect bioassays were conducted using artificial diets in either 96-well microtiter plates (Becton Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, N.J.) or 128-well trays specifically designed for insect bioassays (C-D International, Pitman, N.J.). Eggs from 2 lepidopteran species were used for bioassays conducted in 96-well microtiter plates: the corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea (Boddie)) and the tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens (F.)). Neonate larvae were used for bioassays conducted in 128-well trays. The lepidopteran species tested in this format included the corn earworm, the tobacco budworm, and the beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua (Hübner)). A single coleopteran species, the southern corn rootworm (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardii (Barber)) was also tested in this bioassay format.

[0290] The data recorded in these bioassays included the total number of insects in the treatment, number of dead insects, the number of insects whose growth was stunted, and the weight of surviving insects. In cases where growth inhibition is reported, this was calculated as follows:

% Growth Inhibition=[1−(Average Weight of Insects in Treatment/Average Weight of Insects in the Vector-Only Control)]*100

EXAMPLE 5C

Other Experimental Protocol

[0291] This is described in more detail in concurrently filed application by Apel-Birkhold et al., entitled “Toxin Complex Proteins and Genes from Xenorhabdus bovienii,” under attorney docket no. DAS-114P (Serial No. ______).

EXAMPLE 5D

[0292] Plasmid pDAB6026 was shown to encode activities which synergized the insect toxic activities of TcdA and XptA2_wi. E. coli cells containing plasmid pDAB6026 or the pBCKS+vector control were inoculated into 200 mL of LB containing chloramphenicol (50 μg/mL) and 75 μM IPTG (isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside) and grown for two days at 28° C. with shaking at 180 rpm. The cells were then centrifuged for 10 min at 3500×g. The pellets were resuspended in 5 mL of Butterfield's phosphate solution (Fisher Scientific) and transferred to 50 mL conical tubes containing 1.5 mL of 0.1 mm diameter glass beads (Biospec, Bartlesville, Okla., catalog number 1107901). The cell-glass bead mixture was chilled on ice, then the cells were lysed by sonication with two 45 second bursts using a 2 mm probe with a Branson Sonifier 250 (Danbury Conn.) at an output of ˜20, chilling completely between bursts. The supernatant was transferred to 2 mL microcentrifuge tubes and centrifuged for 5 min at 16,000.×g. The supernatants were then transferred to 15 mL tubes, and the protein concentration was measured. Bio-Rad Protein Dye Assay Reagent was diluted 1:5 with H₂O and 1 mL was added to 10 μL of a 1:10 dilution of each sample and to bovine serum albumin (BSA) at concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 μg/mL. The samples were then read on a spectrophotometer measuring the optical density at the wavelength of 595 in the Shimadzu UV160U spectrophotometer (Kyoto, JP). The amount of protein contained in each sample was then calculated against the BSA standard curve and adjusted to between 3-6 mg/mL with phosphate buffer. Six hundred nanograms of XptA2_wi toxin protein were added to 500 μL of the E. coli lysate prior to testing in insect feeding bioassays. The combination of pDAB6026 and XptA2 was shown to have potent activity (Table 16). 29

EXAMPLE 5E

Discovery, Engineering and Testing of xptB1_xb and xptC_1xb Genes

[0293] DNA of plasmid pDAB6026 was sent to Seq Wright DNA Sequencing (Houston, Tex.) for DNA sequence determination. Two complete open reading frames (ORFs) of substantial size were discovered. The first (disclosed as SEQ ID NO:48) has significant similarity to known toxin complex genes belonging to the “B” class. This ORF was therefore called xptB1_xb and encodes the protein disclosed as SEQ ID NO:49. The second ORF (SEQ ID NO:50) encodes a protein (SEQ ID NO:51) with homology to toxin complex “C” proteins and therefore was named XptC1_xb.

[0294] The xptB1_xb and xptC1_xb genes were engineered (using the polymerase chain reaction; PCR) for high level recombinant expression by addition of restriction sites 5′ and 3′ to the coding regions, as well as provision of ribosome binding sequences and optimal translational stop signals. In addition, silent mutations (no change in amino acid sequence) were introduced into the 5′ end of the coding regions to reduce potential secondary structure of the mRNA and hence increase translation. The strategy was to amplify/engineer segments at the 5′ and 3′ ends of the genes, join the distal fragments using ‘Splice Overlap Extensions’ reactions, then add the non-amplified center portion of the open reading frames via restriction sites. This approach minimized the potential of PCR-induced changes in the DNA sequence. The engineered coding regions were cloned into pET expression plasmids (Novagen, Madison, Wis.) as either separate coding regions (SEQ ID NO:52 and SEQ ID NO:53) or a dicistronic operon (SEQ ID NO:54). The names of the expression plasmids are shown in Table 17. 30

[0295] Competent cells of the E. coli T7 expression strain BL21 Star™ (DE3) (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) were freshly transformed with DNA of either the pET (control) vector or plasmids pDAB6031, pDAB6032 or pDAB6033, and inoculated into 250 mL of LB containing 50 μg/mL chloramphenicol and 75 μM IPTG. After growth for 24 hrs at 28° C. with shaking at 180 rpm, the cells were centrifuged for 10 min at 5500×g. The pellets were resuspended in 5 mL of phosphate solution and transferred to 50 mL conical tubes containing 1.5 mL of 0.1 mm diameter glass beads, then were sonicated for two 45 sec bursts at “constant” and a setting of 30 as described above. The samples were centrifuged at 3000×g for 15 min, the supernatant was transferred to 2 mL microcentrifuge tubes, centrifuged for 5 min at 14,000 rpm, and the supernatants were then transferred to 15 mL tubes. The protein concentrations were measured as described above and the lysates were adjusted to 5 mg/mL with phosphate buffer. A set of three samples per lysate was submitted for insect bioassay. To the first sample, phosphate buffer was added in place of purified toxin; to the second sample, sufficient TcdA protein was added to provide a dose of 50 ng/cm² in the insect bioassay well, and to the third sample, sufficient XptA2_wi protein was added to provide a dose of 250 ng/cm² in the insect bioassay well.

[0296] The results of the bioassay are shown in Table 18. Control samples, which were not supplemented with low levels of added TcdA or XptA2_wi protein, (e.g. samples from vector, pDAB6031, pDAB6032 and pDAB6033), had little impact on the insects. Likewise, samples which contained low levels of TcdA or XptA2_wi, with either pDAB6031 or pDAB6032 lysates, had minimal effects. In contrast, significant activity was observed in the samples which included low levels of TcdA or XptA2_wi with pDAB6033 lysates. 31

EXAMPLE 5F

Identification, Purification, and Characterization of XptB1_xb and XptC1_xb Proteins of Xenorhabdus bovienii Strain ILM104

[0297] Bioassay driven fractionation of a pDAB6033-containing E. coli lysate resulted in the identification by MALDI-TOF of two co-purifying proteins; XptB1_xb and XptC1_xb. Peaks containing these 2 proteins effectively potentiated the activity of TcdA and XptA2wi.

[0298] Active fractions were identified based on their ability to synergize or potentiate the activity of TcdA against southern corn rootworm or XptA2_wi against corn earworm. All bioassays were conducted in the 128-well format described above in Example 5A.

[0299] Two peaks of activity were detected from protein fractions eluting between 22-24 mS/cm conductance (Peak 1 and Peak 2). An example of the potentiating activity of Peaks 1 and 2 is shown in Table 19. Subsequent purification and analysis were performed on both Peak 1 and Peak 2

[0300] Gels from both Peak 1 and Peak 2 contained two predominant bands, one migrating at ˜170 kDa and the other migrating at ˜80 kDa. The gel from Peak 1 contained three additional proteins that migrated at approximately 18, 33 and 50 kDa. Retrospective analysis revealed that the ˜170 kDa and ˜80 kDa bands were abundant at the initial stages of purification and became progressively enriched at each step

[0301] Extracted peptides were analyzed using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to produce peptide mass fingerprints (PMF) on a Voyager DE-STR MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer (PerSeptive Biosystems, Framingham, Mass.). Analysis of the samples extracted from the ˜170 kDa band confirmed the identity as XptB1_xb. Analysis of the samples extracted from the ˜80 kDa band confirmed the identity as XptC1_xb. Although the predicted molecular weight of the XptC1_xb protein as calculated from the gene sequence (SEQ ID NO:50) is 108 kDa, the extracted protein ran significantly faster than expected in the SDS/PAGE. The presence of peptide fragments representing the entire peptide sequence indicated that the protein as extracted is full length. 32

EXAMPLE 6

Additional Mix and Match Example

[0302] In this example, it is demonstrated that potent insect suppression is obtained with a combination of three toxin complex (TC) proteins. Compelling insect activity is observed when a Class A protein is mixed with a Class B and Class C protein. The present invention is surprising in that many combinations of a Class A, Class B and Class C protein result in powerful insect repression. The Toxin Complex proteins may be from widely divergent sources and may only share a limited amount of amino acid identity with other functional members of its class.

EXAMPLE 6A

Introduction

[0303] The insecticidal and growth inhibition activities encoded by fifteen different toxin complex genes were tested separately and in combination with one another. Several examples from each of the described classes, A, B or C, were tested. The genes were derived from three genera (Photorhabdus, Xenorhabdus and Paenibacillus; both gram negative and gram positive bacteria) and four different species. The results within this example are consistent with the observation that Toxin Complex Class A proteins (e.g. TcdA and XptA2_wi) have significant activity alone. This was recently shown in transgenic plants by Liu et al. (Liu, D., Burton, S., Glancy, T., Li, Z-S., Hampton, R., Meade, T. and Merlo, D. J. “Insect resistance conferred by 283-kDa Photorhabdus luminescens protein TcdA in Arabidopsis thaliana. ” Nature Biotechnology October 2003. Volume 21, number 10 pages 1222-1228). The results also agree with the observation that co-expression of three toxin complex genes (Class A, Class B and Class C) from within the same operon, strain, or genus result in greater insect activity than the Class A gene alone, or any single or double combination of the three classes (Hurst, M., Glare, T., Jackson, T. and Ronson, C. “Plasmid-Located Pathogenicity Determinants of Serratia entomophila, the Causal Agent of Amber Disease of Grass Grub, Show Similarity to the Insecticidal Toxins of Photorhabdus luminescens”. Journal of Bacteriology, September 2000, Volume 182, Number 18, pages 5127-5138; Morgan, J. A., Sergeant, M., Ellis, D., Ousley, M. and Jarrett, P. “Sequence Analysis of Insecticidal Genes from Xenorhabdus nematophilus PMFI296”. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, May 2001, p. 2062-2069, Vol. 67, No. 5; Waterfield, N., Dowling, A., Sharma, S., Daborn, P., Potter, U. and Ffrench-Constant, R. “Oral Toxicity of Photorhabdus luminescens W-14 Toxin Complexes in Escherichia coli,” Applied and Environmental Microbiology, November 2001, Volume 67, Number 11, pages 5017-5024).

[0304] Surprisingly, the data below document the discovery that toxin complex Class A proteins may be mixed and matched with, for example, lysates prepared from E. coli cells programmed to express Class B and Class C genes from widely divergent sources to produce stunning insecticidal and insect growth inhibition activity. For example, a Class A protein from Xenorhabdus may be mixed with a lysate programmed to express a Class B gene from Photorhabdus and a Class C gene from Paenibacillus to provide an insect active combination. Likewise, a Class A protein from Photorhabdus may be mixed with a lysate programmed to express a Class B and Class C gene from Xenorhabdus, and vice versa. Many combinations are possible; many are shown below to result in potent insect activity. It was an unexpected revelation that toxin complex Class A, B, and C components from strains noted for either coleopteran (Photorhabdus luminescens strain W-14) or lepidopteran activity (Xenorhabdus nematophilus strain Xwi) may be functionally mixed and matched. Additionally surprising was the discovery of the degree of divergence possible for individual A, B or C proteins. For example, individual Class A's (e.g. TcdA and XptA2_wi) which function with a Class B/Class C combination may only share 41% amino acid identity with each other. Likewise any individual Class B may only share 41% identity with another functional Class B protein. Similarly, any given Class C may share only 35% identity with another Class C protein.

EXAMPLE 6B

Protein Sources and Constructions

[0305] The Class A proteins TcdA and XptA2_wi were utilized in a purified form prepared from cultures of Pseudomonas fluorescens heterologously expressing the proteins. Preparations of the TcdA and XptA2_wi from other heterologous sources (plant; bacterial) were functionally equivalent in the assays. The Class B and Class C proteins were tested as components of E. coli lysates. The use of lysates was validated by comparison to purified preparations of several Class B and Class C combinations. Reading frames encoding Class B and Class C proteins were engineered for expression in E. coli by cloning into pET plasmids (Novagen, Madison Wis.). Each coding region contained an appropriately spaced ribosome binding site (relative to the start codon) and termination signal. The DNA sequences at the 5′ end of some of the genes were modified to reduce predicted secondary structure of the RNA and hence increase translation. These base changes were silent and did not result in amino acid changes in the protein. In cases where a Class B gene was tested with a Class C gene, an operon was constructed in the pET expression plasmid with the Class B coding sequence being transcribed first, followed by the Class C coding sequence. The two coding regions were separated by a linker sequence which contained a ribosome binding site appropriately spaced relative to the start codon of the Class C protein coding region. The DNA sequence between the coding regions in the dicistronic constructions is shown in the 5′ to 3′orientation. Tables 20-27 contain lists of the proteins encoded by the various expression plasmids, the source of the coding regions and the plasmid reference number. Tables 22B, 23B, and 28-31 show linker sequences used in expression plasmids. 33

[0306] 34

[0307] 35

[0308] 36

[0309] 37

[0310] 38

[0311] 39

[0312] 40

[0313] 41

[0314] 42

[0315] 43

[0316] 44

[0317] 45

[0318] 46

EXAMPLE 6C

Expression Conditions and Lysate Preparations

[0319] The pET expression plasmids listed in Tables 20-27 were transformed into the E. coli T7 expression strains BL2 1 (DE3) (Novagen, Madison Wis.) or BL21 Star™ (DE3) (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) using standard methods. Expression cultures were initiated with 10-200 freshly transformed colonies into 250 mL LB 50 μg/ml antibiotic and 75 μM IPTG. The cultures were grown at 28° C. for 24 hours at 180-200 rpm. The cells were collected by centrifugation in 250 ml Nalgene bottles at 3,400×g for 10 minutes at 4° C. The pellets were suspended in 4-4.5 mL Butterfield's Phosphate solution (Hardy Diagnostics, Santa Maria, Calif.; 0.3 mM potassium phosphate pH 7.2). The suspended cells were transferred to 50 mL polypropylene screw cap centrifuge tubes with 1 mL of 0.1 mm diameter glass beads (Biospec, Bartlesville, Okla., catalog number 1107901). The cell-glass bead mixture was chilled on ice, then the cells were lysed by sonication with two 45 second bursts using a 2 mm probe with a Branson Sonifier 250 (Danbury Conn.) at an output of ˜20, chilling completely between bursts. The lysates were transferred to 2 mL Eppendorf tubes and centrifuged 5 minutes at 16,000×g. The supernatants were collected and the protein concentration measured. Bio-Rad Protein Dye Assay Reagent was diluted 1:5 with H₂O and 1 mL was added to 10 μL of a 1:10 dilution of each sample and to bovine serum albumin (BSA) at concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 μg/mL. The samples were then read on a spectrophotometer measuring the optical density at the wavelength of 595 nm in the Shimadzu UV160U spectrophotometer (Kyoto, JP). The amount of protein contained in each sample was then calculated against the BSA standard curve and adjusted to between 3-6 mg/mL with phosphate buffer. The lysates were typically assayed fresh, however no loss in activity was observed when stored at −70° C.

EXAMPLE 6D

Bioassay Conditions

[0320] Insect bioassays were conducted with neonate larvae on artificial diets in 128-well trays specifically designed for insect bioassays (C-D International, Pitman, N.J.). The species assayed were the southern corn rootworm, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardii (Barber), the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), and the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner).

[0321] Bioassays were incubated under controlled environmental conditions (28° C., ˜40% r.h., 16:8 [L:D]) for 5 days at which point the total number of insects in the treatment, the number of dead insects, and the weight of surviving insects were recorded. Percent mortality and percent growth inhibition were calculated for each treatment. Growth inhibition was calculated as follows:

% Growth Inhibition=[1−(Average Weight of Insects in Treatment/Average Weight ofInsects in the Vector-Only Control)]*100

[0322] In cases where the average weight of insects in treatment was greater that of insects in the vector only control, growth inhibition was scored as 0%.

[0323] The biological activity of the crude lysates alone or with added TcdA or XptA2_wi toxin proteins was assayed as follows. Crude E. coli lysates (40 μL) of either control cultures or those expressing potentiator proteins were applied to the surface of artificial diet in 8 wells of a bioassay tray. The average surface area of treated diet in each well was ˜1.5 cm². The lysates were adjusted to between 2-5 mg/mL total protein and were applied with and without TcdA or XptA2_wi. The TcdA or XptA2_wi added were highly purified fractions from bacterial cultures heterologously expressing the proteins. The final concentrations of XptA2_wi and TcdA on the diet were 250 ng/cm² and 50 ng/cm², respectively.

[0324] The results of bioassays are summarized in Tables 32-39. Little to no effect on the survival or growth of the insect species tested was observed when larvae were fed lysates from E. coli clones engineered to express a Class B or Class C protein alone (Tables 32 and 33). Similarly, little to no effect was observed when larvae were fed combinations of Class B and Class C proteins in the absence of a purified toxin (Tables 34-39, “none” column). Significant effects on survival and/or growth were commonly observed when larvae were fed lysates from E. coli clones engineered to express a combination of a Class B and Class C protein with a purified toxin (Tables 2C-2H, “TcdA” and “XptA2_wi” columns). Class B and Class C combinations tested with purified TcdA most typically exerted an effect on southern corn rootworm while combinations tested with purified XptA2_wi typically exerted an effect on one of the 3 lepidopteran species with corn earworm being the most consistently sensitive species. It is notable that many Class B and Class C combinations produced an observable effect of XptA2_wi on southern corn rootworm. The converse, that these combinations would produce an observable effect of TcdA on lepidopteran species, did not hold true.

[0325] Tables 32-39 show biological activity of E. coli lysates fed to insect larvae alone and combined with Photorhabdus or Xenorhabdus toxin proteins. The gene contained in each E. coli clone corresponds to those contained in Tables 20-27. Biological activity is classified using the following scale: 0=average mortality<50% AND average weight>50% of the average weight of empty vector/no toxin treatment, +=average weight≦50% of the average weight of empty vector/no toxin treatment, ++=average mortality≧50% OR average weight≦20% of the average weight of empty vector/no toxin treatment, and +++=average mortality≧95% OR average weight≦5% of the average weight of empty vector/no toxin treatment. 47

[0326] 48

[0327] 49

[0328] 50

[0329] 51

[0330] 52

[0331] 53

[0332] 54

EXAMPLE 7

Additional Mixing and Matching of TC Proteins

[0333] To demonstrate the presently discovered versatility of TC proteins, additional E. coli expression experiments were done employing double plasmid expression systems. A T7 promoter based system utilized a pACYC derivative (called pCot-3 or 4, chloramphenicol resistant) to express either the TcdA or XptA2 proteins while a compatible T7 promoter pET280 plasmid (kanamycin resistant) expressed various combinations of the TcdB1 (SEQ ID NO:22), TcdB2 (SEQ ID NO:45), XptC1 (SEQ ID NO:18), TccC1 (SEQ ID NO:25), TccC3 (SEQ ID NO:47) and XptB1 (SEQ ID NO:16) proteins, all within the same cell. Likewise, in another series of experiments, an E. coli promoter system was used that utilized a different pACYC derivative (called pCTS, spectinomycin/streptomycin resistant) to express either TcdA (SEQ ID NO:2 1) or XptA2 (SEQ ID NO:34) proteins while a compatible pBT280 plasmid (chloramphenicol resistant) expressed various combinations of TcdB1, TcdB2, XptC1, TccC1, TccC3 and XptB1. Both systems produced proteins of similar activities when bioassayed.

[0334] The T7 promoter based experiments were done by first preparing stocks of competent BL21(DE3) cells containing either pCot-3, pCot-TcdA or pCot-XptA2. These cells were then transformed with either control pET280 plasmid or any of the combinations of TC genes noted above in the pET280 vector. Cells containing both plasmids were selected on media containing chloramphenicol and kanamycin. Similarly, for the E. coli promoted system, competent BL21 cells containing either pCTS, pCTS-TcdA or pCTS-XptA2 were prepared. The competent cells were then transformed with either pBT280 control plasmid or any of TC combinations noted above in the pBT280 vector. When more than one TC gene was present on a particular plasmid, they were arranged as a two gene operon with a single promoter at the 5′ end. The first coding region was followed by translational termination signals; a separate ribosome binding site (Shine-Dalgamo sequence) and translational start signal were used to initiation translation of the second coding region. The methods described in Examples 2 and 3 were used to grow expression cultures, prepare lysates and assess insect activity. Some experiments utilized a modified assay method where enriched preparations of proteins TcdA and XptA2 were added to lysates containing either singly or in combination TcdB1, TcdB2, XptC1, TccC1, TccC3 and XptB1 (Tables 40 and 41). 55

[0335] 56

[0336] 57

EXAMPLE 8

Summary of Mix & Match Assays and Sequence Relatedness

[0337] The following Tables summarize and compare proteins used in the assays described above. Tables 43-45 compare A, B, and C class proteins. Tables 46-48 compare A, B, and C class genes (bacterial). Any of the numbers in these tables can be used as upper and/or lower limits for defining proteins and polynucleotides for use according to the subject invention. Table 49 compares the sizes of various TC proteins. Again, any of the numbers in this table can be used to define the upper and/or lower size limits of proteins (and polynucleotides) for use according to the subject invention.

[0338] These tables help to show that even highly divergent proteins (in the ˜40-75% identity range) can surprisingly be used and substituted for each other according to the subject invention. TcdA2_W-14 is reproduced here as SEQ ID NO:62, TcdA4_W-14 as SEQ ID NO:63, and TccCw_W-14 as SEQ ID NO:64. 58

[0339] 59